Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
Why did Andy Warhol paint Marilyn Monroe?
1 Answer
Andy Warhol painted Marilyn Monroe as a commentary on the media and celebrity culture. The American artist was quick to jump on mass media’s penchant for treating glamour and tragedy with equal weight. Monroe’s suicidal overdose in 1962 was ideal fodder, and he reproduced her visage dozens of times, first painting the canvas with splotches of pigment to denote her hair, eyeshadow and lips, then printing the black photographic silkscreen, taken from a 1953 publicity still, on the surface, either alone, doubled or repeated in a grid. By reproducing her image, Warhol sought to show how Monroe's fame and status as a sex symbol transformed her from being an individual person to a mass-market commodity. His work provided a sharp rebuke to the media's obsessive intrusion into the lives of celebrities. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Andy Warhol art.
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
Related Questions
- How did Andy Warhol screen print Marilyn Monroe?1 Answer
- What is Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe piece called?1 Answer
- Who painted Marilyn Monroe?1 Answer
- What did Andy Warhol do?1 Answer
- Did Andy Warhol paint cats?1 Answer
Shop for Andy Warhol Art on 1stDibs
Gelatin silver print of Victor Hugo and Male Model by Andy Warhol
By Andy Warhol
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Work comes with a Certificate of Provenance.
Stamped on the verso by the Estate of the Artist and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Foundation number also on verso.
Pro...
Category
1970s Pop Art Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
Flowers 11.64 From the Sunday B. Morning Edition
By Andy Warhol
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987)
Flowers 11.64 From the Sunday B. Morning Edition
Silkscreen in colors
36 x 36 in
Category
2010s Contemporary Prints and Multiples
Materials
Screen
Green and Pink Marilyn 11.23 From the Sunday B. Morning Edition
By Andy Warhol
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987)
Green and Pink Marilyn 11.23 From the Sunday B. Morning Edition
Silkscreen in colors
36 x 36 in
Category
2010s Contemporary Prints and Multiples
Materials
Screen
Liza Minnelli posing on floor of Halston's Apartment
By Andy Warhol
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Work comes with a Certificate of Provenance issued by Christie’s.
Stamped on the verso by the Estate of the Artist and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Foundation num...
Category
1970s Contemporary Black and White Photography
Materials
Silver Gelatin
The philosophy of Andy Warhol
By Andy Warhol
Located in Jerusalem, IL
A book by Andy Warhol. Signed and sketched by the artist on the first page of the book.
Signed on the bottom of the first page.
The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B & Back Aga...
Category
1970s Pop Art More Art
Materials
Paper, Ink, Permanent Marker
Original "Aretha" (Franklin) pop art music poster
By Andy Warhol
Located in Spokane, WA
The original “Aretha” vintage music promotional poster features Aretha Franklin and artwork created by Andy Warhol. Archivally backed linen is in very good condition and ready to f...
Category
1980s Pop Art Portrait Prints
Materials
Offset