Andy Warhol seated at a table at the Pierre Hotel in New York City, Robert Levin, 1981
 
In the spring of 1981, Andy Warhol was working on his “Myths” show, which ran later that year at New York’s Ronald Feldman Gallery.

Robert Levin, a photographer on assignment for Germany’s Stern magazine, spent two days with the pop art master. Levin stuck to Warhol like glue, accompanying him everywhere as he traversed the city, including work sessions at the Factory, a facial treatment at the Janet Sartin Spa, and a bicycle ride in the East Village. By chance Warhol ran into filmmaker John Waters on Madison Avenue, and Levin captured that meeting as well.

Maison Gerard Gallery in New York is showing an exhibition of Levin’s photographs called “Two Days in the Life of Andy…,” but it closes tomorrow, alas. The exhibition showcases fifteen black-and-white photographs which were taken over the course of the two days. This is the first time the images have been shown in the United States.

The most striking photos in the show are likely the ones in which Warhol gets a facial treatment. “Warhol had a lifelong obsession with appearance and beauty regimes, he was fanatical about his dermatologist and skin care, so for historians and collectors these images are going to be particularly interesting,” commented exhibition curator and Warhol expert and collector James Hedges in a statement.

In addition to the photographs shown here, you can see more at the Maison Gerard Gallery website.

All photos by Robert Levin. Click on any image to get a larger view.
 

Andy Warhol undergoing a facial treatment at the Janet Sartin Spa in New York City, Robert Levin, 1981
 

Andy Warhol relaxing after receiving a facial treatment at the Janet Sartin Spa in New York City, Robert Levin, 1981
 

Chance meeting between Andy Warhol and John Waters on Madison Avenue, Robert Levin, 1981
 

Andy Warhol posing at the New York City midtown store where he purchased a bullet proof vest, Robert Levin, 1981
 
More after the jump…