Gallerist Alexander Iolas first met seventeen-year-old Andy Warhol in 1945, and seven years later gave him his first gallery exhibition in New York City. Their friendship lasted their entire lives until they both passed away, less than four months apart, in 1987.  Stand out Warhol works along with many of the major artists whose careers were defined by showing with Iolas are included in Alexander the Great: The Iolas Gallery 1955-1987 currently on show at Paul Kasmin Gallery in Chelsea.

Iolas played a pivotal role in the art world in America, recognized for being among the first to introduce American audiences to Surrealism. The exhibition contains incredible Surrealist pieces including iconic works by Magritte.  With Iolas having helped shape the careers of arists such as Ed Ruscha, William N. Copley, Victor Brauner, Max Ernst and of course Andy Warhol, this collection feels like a whirlwind journey through some of the twentieth century’s…