Object Details
- Artist
- Andy Warhol, 6 Aug 1928 - 22 Feb 1987
- Printer
- Aetna Silkscreen Products, Inc.
- Publisher
- Factory Additions
- Sitter
- Marilyn Monroe, 1 Jun 1926 - 5 Aug 1962
- Exhibition Label
- Born Los Angeles, California
- Based on a publicity still from Marilyn Monroe’s 1953 film Niagara, Andy Warhol’s portrait of the film star conveys both her glamour and her fragility. A gifted performer, Monroe became an iconic sex symbol, entertaining troops in Korea and electrifying movie audiences. Despite her success, she maintained an air of vulnerability. Warhol capitalized on these contradictions by portraying Monroe after her 1962 death from a drug overdose. Using silkscreens, he created multiple renditions of the portrait. By emphasizing the images’ off-register printing, Warhol created a powerful metaphor for the dissolution of Monroe’s career and the disastrous impact of her overexposure. In this screenprint, one of a series of ten, Monroe’s sensual features dissolve into a nearly impenetrable mask as Warhol’s non-naturalistic colors and their improper alignment add a jarring, alienating effect to the familiar face.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Daniel Solomon
- 1967
- Object number
- NPG.97.51
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Copyright
- © Estate of Marilyn Monroe, c/o CMG Worldwide, Inc. ©Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / ARS, New York
- Type
- Medium
- Screenprint on paper
- Dimensions
- Image/Sheet: 91.5 x 91.5 cm (36 x 36")
- Place
- United States\New York\Kings\New York
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- National Portrait Gallery
- Topic
- Costume\Jewelry\Earring
- Marilyn Monroe: Female
- Marilyn Monroe: Performing Arts\Performer\Actor\Movie
- Marilyn Monroe: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer\Popular
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.97.51
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4a35cfc8f-4a6a-41d5-8afa-03cbd250fcca
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