Actually, John Jr was marginally infamous before Warhol came along.
His mugshot was taken by the New York Police Department on October 27, 1958. The photo’s accompanying description read in part, “…being a person of slight build, with brown wavy hair, brown eyes and tattoo marks: on left arm, a panther and a rose with Eileen and John: on right arm, a heart.”
After he fled and disappeared prior to trial, John J. Henehan, Jr was sought by the FBI as a “most wanted” for armed robbery and drug possession.
Andy Warhol became part of the John Henehan, Jr story in 1964 when he included the mugshots of Henehan and 12 other criminals in a commission for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.
I’ve been a fan of Warhol’s 13 Most Wanted series for decades—I’ve always found the image of Henehan the most intriguing, the most interesting of the group. I was 14 years old when Warhol created the larger-than-life image of Henehan and, to me, he looked a lot like teenagers hanging around the high schools and soda fountains in Kansas where I grew up.
Last May, Christie’s sold Most Wanted Men No. 11, John Joseph H., Jr at their Post-War and Contemporary Evening Sale in New York.
It sold for $28.4 million. This is the promotional video Christie’s produced prior to the sale. It’s a fine explainer and engaging promotional piece.
Christie’s also has an outstanding backgrounder story on their website. It’s a great narrative.
Andy Warhol (1928-1987)
Most Wanted Men No. 11, John Joseph H., Jr.
signed ‘Andy Warhol’ (on the reverse of each canvas)
diptych—silkscreen ink on linen
each: 49 x 38 in. (124.5 x 96.5 cm.)
Painted in 1964.
Provenance:
Mickey Ruskin, New York
Walter Kelly Gallery, New York
Leo Castelli Gallery, New York
The Greenberg Gallery, Saint Louis
Irena Hochman Fine Art Ltd., New York, 1983
Saatchi Collection, London, 1983
Anon. sale; Sotheby’s, New York, 06 May 1992, lot 39
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner
This information is incorrect. The tattoo on his arm said Jeanne and John
You’re correct, that’s what the tattoo on his arm read. But the story is correct, because the NYPD report reads “Eileen and John.”
You can find the documentation in WARHOL, Andy. Dossier no. 2357 | The Thirteen Most Wanted Men. Paris: Galerie Ileana Sonnabend, (1967). Copies are available from a number of rare booksellers: https://www.oliverwoodbooks.com/products/warhol-andy-dossier-no-2357-cover-title-the-thirteen-most-wanted-men-paris-galerie-ileana-sonnabend-1967
I understand. Please understand that this man had a family and I really think that if you knew the NYPD got it wrong that there could’ve been a mention of what the tattoo really said. Jeanne was his wife of many years.
That’s wonderful input Cindy, and I’ll work on a revision to include it. Thanks so much for helping me stay accurate and share valuable context.
Thank you for acknowleding and responding to my comment.
Hello Cindy. I am very curious how you know so much about him. I myself am a Henehan. I am trying to trace his family tree.
Cindy knows because she is his daughter, I know this because she is my aunt and John Henehan was my grandfather.