Warhol’s Marilyn series consists of ten nearly identical silkscreen prints of Marilyn Monroe, an enduring icon of pop culture. The screenprint medium, with its flat application of colour, precluded intricate details, presenting Marilyn as society perceived her—flawlessly perfect. Each print features distinct colours to emphasise different aspects of her persona. In this version, her lips are a striking red, underscoring her status as a sex symbol, while her platinum blonde hair is rendered in a vivid yellow, enhancing its iconic quality.
The bold, graphic style evokes Monroe’s vibrant public persona, yet the array of colours throughout the series reveals the complexity of her identity, both as a celebrity and as an individual. Each portrait captures the seemingly impenetrable and elusive facade of fame, while subtly exposing the emptiness that often accompanies it. Warhol challenges viewers to confront their own superficial fantasies of Monroe, presenting her as an idealised image rather than a person.
Warhol’s Marilyn prints are among his most iconic works, embodying his fascination with American popular culture and the public’s fixation on celebrities. Through this series, Warhol transforms Monroe into a heightened symbol, a visual icon elevated beyond everyday reality. His work has been said to double Marilyn’s influence, creating "an icon out of an icon."