16 Jan Andy Warhol is one of the best

ART105 Introduction to Visual Art

Module 7 Discussion

Photo Silkscreen and Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol, Marilyn Diptych, photo silkscreen on canvas, 1962

Andy Warhol is one of the best known artists to have used the photo silkscreen medium on a wide scale. When you look at Marilyn Diptych, reproduced above, you will notice there are many “imperfections” in the piece, such as misregistered colors, areas that have received too much or too little ink, etc. Yet Andy Warhol was a consummate draftsman; before becoming a fine artist, he had won multiple awards for his ad designs and was the highest paid commercial artist in New York City. It is safe to assume that these “imperfections” are intentional and designed to add to the piece’s content.

Warhol created Marilyn Diptych in the weeks after her death. In many ways, it is a response to her death. However, Marilyn Diptych suggests a much different reaction to her death than Audrey Flack’s Marilyn. (Audrey Flack’s Marilyn was the painting on for “Decoding Iconography” pg13.)

Carefully observe the Warhol’s stylistic choices in this piece. Why do you think he wanted Marilyn Diptych to look this way? What is Warhol trying to say about Marilyn Monroe, society, or himself via the use of formal elements and design principles? Be sure to back up your response. (Hint: Use the index in the back of your textbook to locate and read the passages on Andy Warhol’s work. They may help stimulate your ideas.)

Your initial posting is due Wednesday, at midnight. Be sure to reply to two other students by Sunday, at midnight. Let’s get a dialogue going and see what we can learn from each other!