Artwork
Thursday (Tony)
Thursday (Tony) is a print by Elizabeth Peyton. It dates from 2000 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Elizabeth Peyton made this print in 2000. It’s a portrait, like most of her work. The print is one of 14 in a special set by Counter Editions.
Peyton often picks friends or celebrities for her subjects. She wants them to feel real, even when they’re famous. This print shows that idea in a simple form.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.
Overview
“Thursday (Tony)” is a 2000 print by American artist Elizabeth Peyton, issued by Counter Editions as part of a limited portfolio comprising fourteen contemporary works. The piece presents a portrait of a figure named Tony, rendered in Peyton’s characteristic intimate manner, and measures within the typical dimensions of the edition’s prints.
Subject & Meaning
Peyton’s portraiture frequently draws on acquaintances and well‑known personalities, aiming to capture a sense of authenticity beneath public perception. In “Thursday (Tony)”, the sitter is portrayed with a quiet presence that reflects the artist’s interest in allowing subjects to exist as themselves while still occupying a heightened, almost iconic, status.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the work retains Peyton’s signature delicate line work and soft coloration, echoing the aesthetic of fashion illustration. The composition balances minimal background detail with a focus on the sitter’s facial features, employing a restrained palette that emphasizes intimacy over overt dramatization.
History & Provenance
The print was released in 2000 by Counter Editions, a publisher known for collaborating with contemporary artists on limited‑edition series. It formed one of fourteen pieces in a curated set, each representing a distinct voice within early‑21st‑century art, and has since been acquired by several public and private collections.
Context
Emerging in the late 1990s, Peyton’s work responded to a renewed interest in portraiture that foregrounded personal relationships within a culture of celebrity. “Thursday (Tony)” reflects this moment, situating the artist’s practice alongside other contemporary creators who explored identity through modest, reproducible formats.
Artist & collection
Artist
Elizabeth Joy Peyton is an American contemporary artist working primarily in painting, drawing, and printmaking.
