Andy Warhol: Marilyn (F&S II.29), 1967
Andy Warhol: Marilyn (F&S II.29), 1967 framed
Andy Warhol
36 x 36 in.
Andy Warhol's 1967 print Marilyn from his iconic Marilyn Monroe portfolio is a striking explosion of repetition and colour. This vivid portrait features the legendary Hollywood actress with brilliant orange hair and eyelids, set against a similarly vivid turquoise background. Warhol created 23 paintings of Monroe shortly after her tragic death in 1962, all based on a publicity photo from her 1953 film Niagara. This particular print reinterprets the image with Monroe’s face turned slightly to the right, her lips parted in a sensual smile. The use of black ink to overlay parts of the image creates bold colour contrasts that are both captivating and visually arresting.
As a leading figure in the Pop Art movement, Warhol, born in 1928, drew heavily from 20th-century popular culture in his work. His fusion of high art with mass consumerism challenged conventional notions of art, whether he was depicting glamorous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe or everyday items like Campbell's Soup Cans. Warhol's preferred method of screen printing, which allowed for the creation of multiple colour variations, further emphasised his fascination with mass culture and made art more accessible to the general public.