See more objects with the tag domestic interiors, sidewall, All-over, pop culture, repeat, cows.

Object Timeline

-0001

1971

  • Work on this object began.

1980

  • We acquired this object.

1991

2004

2005

2013

2016

2025

  • You found it!

Sidewall, Cow

This is a sidewall. It is dated 1971 and we acquired it in 1980. Its medium is screen printed on paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

Warhol frequently displayed his series of prints in rows and grids, so they appeared to be in repeat. His wallpapers were designed in this same fashion with no secondary elements smoothing the transition from one repeat to the next. First created in 1966 for the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York, Cow was not available for retail sale but still became one of the most iconic wallpapers.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Two Cows are Better than One.

It is credited Gift of Andy Warhol.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 348.5 x 75.5cm (137 3/16 x 29 3/4in.)

It is inscribed

Printed in left selvedge: "Andy Warhol Whitney Museum".

Cite this object as

Sidewall, Cow; USA; screen printed on paper; H x W: 348.5 x 75.5cm (137 3/16 x 29 3/4in.); Gift of Andy Warhol; 1980-69-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Artist's Designed Wallpapers and The Cooper-Hewitt Collections: A Design Resource.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18615581/ |title=Sidewall, Cow |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>