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Andy Warhol, one of the most significant artists in the late twentieth century, was also the publisher of Interview, which by 1974 was a monthly catering to the culturally hip. Fascinated by the mysteries of political power, the artist—who called Washington “Hollywood on the Potomac”—saw the city as an unlimited source of portraits, both visual and verbal.

Beginning in 1975, the elegant and charming Austrian-born Ina Ginsburg became his guide to the nation’s capital, both introducing Warhol to Washington notables and writing for Interview.

Her more than thirty articles included interviews with German filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, and Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger. “Ina interviewed top-level people who weren’t necessarily seeking publicity,” said former Interview editor Bob Colacello, “She gave us a gravitas we hadn’t had. Moreover, Andy loved her parties.”

Warhol, who made his silkscreen-on-canvas portraits from Polaroids, photographed Ginsburg in his New York “Factory.”

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