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Lot Essay
The legendary Marilyn Monroe is as much an icon of pop art as she is the queen of the sixties and her portrait by Andy Warhol a landmark in twentieth century art.
Marilyn reflects Warhol's sense for publicity and commercial needs. He chose mass-produced images of cultural symbols and idols screenprinted in series published by a factory. However the Marilyns are produced in variations on a theme. Starting after the death of the sex goddess in 1962 with paintings of her portrait, culminating in the set of 10 screenprints, Warhol created a mask of a glamourous woman who comes to live in small deviations in the prints like shifting and varying colours, surface texture and blurring images. Each numbered and signed Marilyn confirms her status as unique printed work of art. Today Marilyn Monroe in Warhol's black and greys is regarded as the most precious out of the series of ten images within the original portfolio.
Marilyn reflects Warhol's sense for publicity and commercial needs. He chose mass-produced images of cultural symbols and idols screenprinted in series published by a factory. However the Marilyns are produced in variations on a theme. Starting after the death of the sex goddess in 1962 with paintings of her portrait, culminating in the set of 10 screenprints, Warhol created a mask of a glamourous woman who comes to live in small deviations in the prints like shifting and varying colours, surface texture and blurring images. Each numbered and signed Marilyn confirms her status as unique printed work of art. Today Marilyn Monroe in Warhol's black and greys is regarded as the most precious out of the series of ten images within the original portfolio.