Andy Warhol is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. In the 1950s, he was an in-demand and celebrated illustrator working for New York's toniest publications (like Harper's Bazaar) and elegant shops (such as Bonwit Teller) in addition to many smaller independent fashion companies.

Warhol established his reputation with drawings of clothes, accessories, and stylized beauties in a distinctively elegant but playful aesthetic.

Throughout the decade, Warhol received numerous awards and accolades for his illustrations - yet he found it difficult to surpass the designation of "commercial artist". It wasn’t until the mid-1950s when Warhol completed a successful campaign for shoe retailer Miller & Sons, that he was finally granted widespread recognition for his renderings.

“A Whole Stocking Full of Good Wishes'' is emblematic of Warhol's work during the late 1950s. Following repeated commissions, Warhol established shoes as a recurring motif in his work, a theme that he would revisit even as his style evolved over the years. Perhaps it was his early exposure to mass commercialization that increased Warhol’s draw towards objects related to ubiquitous cultural archetypes and consumerism, making this piece representative of the foundation to his artistic evolution.

This is a striking example of Warhol’s early work and a marvellous precursor to Pop Art.