Behind the scenes of Andy Warhol’s iconic photo shoots with frames of Liza Minnelli and John Lennon

February 17, 1978 was just like any other night inside the Manhattan studio Andy Warhol dubbed the Factory. The artist was in the middle of taking snaps of Liza Minnelli when John Lennon stopped by to hang out, and ended up having his ear licked by Warhol’s friend, Victor Hugo – all of which was captured by Warhol in a series of photos.

But those photos along with thousands of others Warhol captured went untouched for decades, until now.

For the first time ever, Warhol’s 3,600 photographic contact sheets showing 130,000 images of his time with celebrities and politicians including Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Debbie Harry, Dolly Parton, Nancy Reagan and Maria Shriver are now on display at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University for the exhibit titled ‘Contact Warhol: Photography Without End’. 

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Peggy Phelan, co-curator of the exhibition and professor and director of the Stanford Arts Institute, explained how this body of Warhol’s work sheds a new light on the artists’ social life and how he operated day-to-day during a period when he was viewed as one of the greatest artists in the world at the time. 

John Lennon dropped by Andy Warhol’s Manhattan studio dubbed the Factory on February 17, 1978 while the pop artist was in the middle of taking snaps of Liza Minnelli. The Beatles’ front man had his ear licked by Warhol’s friend, Victor Hugo, (pictured) while everyone shared laughs during one of the many ordinary nights for the group of friends. The image above along with thousands of others captured by Warhol went untouched for decades, until now

For the first time ever, Warhol’s 3,600 photographic contact sheets showing 130,000 images of his time with celebrities and politicians like Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Debbie Harry, Dolly Parton, Nancy Reagan and Maria Shriver are now on display at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University for the exhibit titled ‘Contact Warhol: Photography Without End’. Warhol captured the above snap of Lennon aged 38 while inside his studio on February 17, 1978 

For the first time ever, Warhol’s 3,600 photographic contact sheets showing 130,000 images of his time with celebrities and politicians like Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Debbie Harry, Dolly Parton, Nancy Reagan and Maria Shriver are now on display at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University for the exhibit titled ‘Contact Warhol: Photography Without End’. Warhol captured the above snap of Lennon aged 38 while inside his studio on February 17, 1978 

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Peggy Phelan, co-curator of the exhibition and professor and director of the Stanford Arts Institute, explained how this body of Warhol’s work sheds a new light on his social life. Pictured above is the contact sheet from February 17, 1978 with images showing Lennon, Minnelli and Warhol

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Peggy Phelan, co-curator of the exhibition and professor and director of the Stanford Arts Institute, explained how this body of Warhol’s work sheds a new light on his social life. Pictured above is the contact sheet from February 17, 1978 with images showing Lennon, Minnelli and Warhol

‘In 1976, when he purchased his first single lens reflex camera – which made it possible for him to put a camera in his jacket pocket – he vowed that he would take at least one roll of film per day,’ Phelan stated.

‘As we follow, we can trace Warhol’s practice between 1976 and 1987, which shows he becomes much more confident as an artist and as a photographer and he also increases the amount of photographs he took per day which is also interesting. 

‘So in the exhibition we wanted to show that the contact sheets have the capacity to illuminate his major body of work which is well known.’

The creation of a Warhol art piece can be traced from the contact sheets to the finished paintings. An example of that is Warhol’s Liza Minnelli from 1979, which is included in the exhibition in a room that specifically focuses on her. 

The creation of a Warhol art piece can be traced from the contact sheets to the finished paintings. An example of that is Warhol’s iconic Liza Minnelli art piece from 1979, which is included in the exhibition in a room that specifically focuses on her. Pictured above are images of Warhol while capturing shots of Minnelli

The creation of a Warhol art piece can be traced from the contact sheets to the finished paintings. An example of that is Warhol’s iconic Liza Minnelli art piece from 1979, which is included in the exhibition in a room that specifically focuses on her. Pictured above are images of Warhol while capturing shots of Minnelli

By the late 1970s, Minnelli, who is the daughter of actress Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, had won an Academy Award for Cabaret and was considered to be one of the best of the best in Hollywood. She is pictured above being photographed by Warhol in the Factory in 1978

By the late 1970s, Minnelli, who is the daughter of actress Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, had won an Academy Award for Cabaret and was considered to be one of the best of the best in Hollywood. She is pictured above being photographed by Warhol in the Factory in 1978

Pictured above are images of Warhol while capturing shots of Minnelli. Phelan said: ‘As we follow, we can trace Warhol’s practice between 1976 and 1987, which shows he becomes much more confident as an artist and as a photographer and he also increases the amount of photographs he took per day which is also interesting.'

Pictured above are images of Warhol while capturing shots of Minnelli. Phelan said: ‘As we follow, we can trace Warhol’s practice between 1976 and 1987, which shows he becomes much more confident as an artist and as a photographer and he also increases the amount of photographs he took per day which is also interesting.’

The 1977 image Warhol selected for the popular acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen piece of Minnelli is pictured on the left

A photo of the art piece is above

The 1977 image Warhol selected for the iconic acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen piece of Minnelli is pictured on the left while a photo of the art piece is on the right

Warhol would mark an X or a circle on the printed contact sheets to indicate the images that were selected to print. 

Phelan added that the contact sheets also show ‘a kind of carnival of what went into the making of these well-known pop portraits’.

‘We get to understand that something about more wholesome method was the social dimension of it, the kind of fun and the sort of performance spirit of the whole thing which you cannot necessarily tell from just looking at the portraits,’ Phelan said.

Warhol viewed the aspect of taking photos as a ‘kind of visual diary that would supplement or accompany his verbal diary,’ Phelan noted.

Richard Meyer, co-curator of the exhibit and professor of art history, told DailyMail.com that the exhibit shows ‘an unprecedented degree’ into ‘Warhol’s social world, which was often dazzling.’ 

Phelan added: 'So in the exhibition we wanted to show that the contact sheets have the capacity to illuminate his major body of work which is well known.’  Pictured above is Warhol in a self-portrait during a photo shoot in 1981 where he is dressed in drag

Phelan added: ‘So in the exhibition we wanted to show that the contact sheets have the capacity to illuminate his major body of work which is well known.’ Pictured above is Warhol in a self-portrait during a photo shoot in 1981 where he is dressed in drag

Warhol is pictured above during the same photo shoot wearing a different wig while in drag. Phelan said that the contact sheets also show ‘a kind of carnival of what went into the making of these well-known pop portraits’

Warhol is pictured above during the same photo shoot wearing a different wig while in drag. Phelan said that the contact sheets also show ‘a kind of carnival of what went into the making of these well-known pop portraits’

Warhol is pictured above left sitting in a chair with make-up on his face before putting on a wig during the drag queen photo shoot in 1981

Warhol is pictured above left sitting in a chair with make-up on his face before putting on a wig during the drag queen photo shoot in 1981

‘At first it was a little overwhelming to be looking at all of these images which were the analogue to Warhol Diaries, they were the visual analogue,’ Meyer stated.

‘[Andy] actually said “I take pictures so that I know where I was every minute.” 

‘But you know he does it in a way that doesn’t look like anybody else’s every minute. 

‘That’s partially because of the life he was living in the early 70s and 80s, which was extremely celebrity strewn and privileged.

‘But it’s also because he looked at things that other people would overlook.’

Meyer noted that it was rare for a celebrity in the 1970s to show up to events with a camera and take photos instead of mingling among fellow A-listers, but that is how Warhol began operating.

‘I think that was a way for Warhol to participate without having to fully engage for example conversationally,’ Meyer said. 

Phelan said: ‘We get to understand that something about more wholesome method was the social dimension of it, the kind of fun and the sort of performance spirit of the whole thing which you cannot necessarily tell from just looking at the portraits.’  Warhol is pictured above sporting his signature white wig in 1986 - one year before his unexpected death

Phelan said: ‘We get to understand that something about more wholesome method was the social dimension of it, the kind of fun and the sort of performance spirit of the whole thing which you cannot necessarily tell from just looking at the portraits.’  Warhol is pictured above sporting his signature white wig in 1986 – one year before his unexpected death

‘It was a strategy for him to deal with the kind of going out every night that he did and I think he was also related to the possibilities of convincing wealthy people and celebrities to have their painted portrait done by Warhol, because that’s how he was supporting the entire enterprise.’

Meyer shared that Phelan and he were able to connect certain contact sheets with Warhol’s diary to see exactly what was happening on specific days.

‘One that I liked that he says a whole entry about John Travolta and it kind of traces a night at some party in Texas when Urban Cowboy opened and he talked about John Travolta being mobbed,’ Meyer stated.

‘At the dinner for it, he says that John Travolta is the most famous person in the room and Warhol is the second like, “I am the second most famous by a long distance.” So he is very much calibrating who’s most famous.

Pictured above is the full contact sheet showing Warhol getting make-up applied and trying on different wigs during a drag queen photo shoot in 1981

Pictured above is the full contact sheet showing Warhol getting make-up applied and trying on different wigs during a drag queen photo shoot in 1981

Phelan said: ‘In 1976, when he purchased his first single lens reflex camera - which made it possible for him to put a camera in his jacket pocket - he vowed that he would take at least one roll of film per day.’ Pictured above are a series of images Warhol captured of an unknown woman wearing a variety of masks

Phelan said: ‘In 1976, when he purchased his first single lens reflex camera – which made it possible for him to put a camera in his jacket pocket – he vowed that he would take at least one roll of film per day.’ Pictured above are a series of images Warhol captured of an unknown woman wearing a variety of masks

Warhol viewed the aspect of taking photos as a ‘kind of visual diary that would supplement or accompany his verbal diary,’ Phelan noted. Pictured above is a partial view of a contact sheet showing Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, Halston, Diane de Beauvau and Bethann Hardison in the back of a limo in 1976

Warhol viewed the aspect of taking photos as a ‘kind of visual diary that would supplement or accompany his verbal diary,’ Phelan noted. Pictured above is a partial view of a contact sheet showing Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, Halston, Diane de Beauvau and Bethann Hardison in the back of a limo in 1976

Richard Meyer, co-curator of the exhibit and professor of art history, told DailyMail.com that the exhibit also shows ‘an unprecedented degree’ into ‘Warhol’s social world, which was often dazzling.’ Pictured above is the full contact sheet of images showing Warhol in 1986

Richard Meyer, co-curator of the exhibit and professor of art history, told DailyMail.com that the exhibit also shows ‘an unprecedented degree’ into ‘Warhol’s social world, which was often dazzling.’ Pictured above is the full contact sheet of images showing Warhol in 1986

Meyer shared that Phelan and he were able to connect certain contact sheets with Warhol’s diary to see exactly what was happening on specific days. Pictured above are the contact sheets for a photo shoot with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat that Warhol captured in 1982

Meyer shared that Phelan and he were able to connect certain contact sheets with Warhol’s diary to see exactly what was happening on specific days. Pictured above are the contact sheets for a photo shoot with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat that Warhol captured in 1982

Meyer said that Warhol’s contact sheets that are on display within the exhibit represent both popular culture while the artist was also a part of it. Pictured above is the contact sheet of images Warhol captured in 1982 showing fellow artist Jean-Michel Basquiat,  

Meyer said that Warhol’s contact sheets that are on display within the exhibit represent both popular culture while the artist was also a part of it. Pictured above is the contact sheet of images Warhol captured in 1982 showing fellow artist Jean-Michel Basquiat,  

Warhol selected the image above from the contact sheet to create a poplar art piece of Basquiat

Pictured above is the art piece Warhol created showing Basquiat - which he used acrylic, silkscreenink and urine on canvas in 1982 to make

Warhol selected the image above left of Basquiat from the contact sheet to create the art piece on pictured on the right – which he used acrylic, silkscreenink and urine on canvas in 1982

‘But what I felt was kind of funny is that in that same entry or another one, but he just thinks John Travolta is really cute and is this actor who is just beginning. He’s not yet a movie star.’

Meyer added that Warhol’s contact sheets that are on display within the exhibit represent both popular culture while the artist was also a part of it. 

Besides seeing images of Minnelli, Warhol’s contact sheets also include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Blondie and Grace Jones and Bianca Jagger – all hanging out together while heading to Studio 54 in New York City. Warhol, who died aged 58 in 1987, also documented the gay culture of the 1970s and 80s – which the exhibit includes examples of the white wigged artist in complete drag make-up. 

The Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in New York City gifted Cantor the contact sheets and negatives in exchange for digitizing the incredible archive and making it free and available online. 

It took archivist Amy DiPasquale three years to complete the project at cost of $1million.

The exhibit, Contact Warhol: Photography Without End, ends on January, 6, 2019. Please be advised that the exhibition includes some images that may not be appropriate for young viewers.

Besides seeing images of Minnelli, Warhol’s contact sheets also include pop-art and graffiti artist Keith Haring, who is pictured above with his boyfriend Juan Dubose in 1983

Besides seeing images of Minnelli, Warhol’s contact sheets also include pop-art and graffiti artist Keith Haring, who is pictured above with his boyfriend Juan Dubose in 1983

Pictured above is the full contact sheet showing several images Warhol captured of Haring and his boyfriend in different poses with each other in 1983

Pictured above is the full contact sheet showing several images Warhol captured of Haring and his boyfriend in different poses with each other in 1983

Warhol’s contact sheets also include a number of celebrities like Debbie Harry, who is pictured in the top two rows of the above contact sheet, all hanging out together while heading to Studio 54 in New York City

Warhol’s contact sheets also include a number of celebrities like Debbie Harry, who is pictured in the top two rows of the above contact sheet, all hanging out together while heading to Studio 54 in New York City

Warhol, who died aged 58 in 1987, also documented the gay culture of the 1970s and 80s – which the exhibit includes examples of the white wigged artist in complete drag make-up. Pictured above is a contact sheet showing an event Warhol attended

Warhol, who died aged 58 in 1987, also documented the gay culture of the 1970s and 80s – which the exhibit includes examples of the white wigged artist in complete drag make-up. Pictured above is a contact sheet showing an event Warhol attended

The Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in New York City gifted Cantor the contact sheets and negatives in exchange for digitizing the incredible archive and making it free and available online. It took archivist Amy DiPasquale three years to complete the project at cost of $1million

The Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in New York City gifted Cantor the contact sheets and negatives in exchange for digitizing the incredible archive and making it free and available online. It took archivist Amy DiPasquale three years to complete the project at cost of $1million

The exhibit, Contact Warhol: Photography Without End, ends on January, 6, 2019. Pictured above is the contact sheet of two male models posing together that Warhol captured in 1982

The exhibit, Contact Warhol: Photography Without End, ends on January, 6, 2019. Pictured above is the contact sheet of two male models posing together that Warhol captured in 1982

Pictured above is an image Warhol captured in 1983 of a guy named John Sex walking with a snake outside of Warhol's studion in New York City

Pictured above is an image Warhol captured in 1983 of a guy named John Sex walking with a snake outside of Warhol’s studion in New York City

Warhol captured the above image showing several unidentified photographers in 1981 at an unknown location

Warhol captured the above image showing several unidentified photographers in 1981 at an unknown location

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk