08/06/2026
In honor of Andy Warhol's birthday this year, we celebrate unexpected press coverage related to one of our favorite drawings by the artist, 'Tidal Basin'.
Washington DC's Tidal Basin spans 107 acres and reaches a depth of about 10 feet. The Reflecting Pool sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. While it is a separate body of water to the Tidal Basin, The Reflecting Pool occasionally draws from the Basin to refill or uses it to receive overflow.
Recently, green algae overtook The Reflecting Pool, an occurrence that has been described as both an ecological phenomenon and a consequence of recent nearby renovations. The Washington Monument, near both the Tidal Basin and The Reflecting Pool, was on full display.
When commissioned to create and design the cover of the Washington Post Magazine in 1983, illustration remained a pivotal part of Warhol’s creative process. He created two images for the cover, putting his signature style to work on Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument. The final unique screenprint of the Tidal Basin was selected for the cover of the magazine on August 14, 1983.
Here we present a graphite drawing by Warhol, one that distills this iconic imagery to something simple and pure.
On what would be his 98th year, we wish Andy Warhol a very happy birthday!
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1. Image of The Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument © NBC News
2. 'Tidal Basin' © Andy Warhol, 1983, graphite on paper, 31.25 x 23.5 in
3. Photo of Andy Warhol courtesy of Wikipedia
