A colour screenprint entitled Marilyn, produced after one of the most recognisable images associated with Andy Warhol (1928-1987), the celebrated American artist and leading figure of twentieth-century Pop Art.
The composition is based on the iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe, transformed by Warhol into a symbol of mass culture, cinematic mythology and the new visual language of post-war America. Through the use of screenprinting, the artist reinterpreted the conventions of serial imagery, advertising and the mass media, dissolving the boundaries between fine art and popular culture.
The present work belongs to a limited edition of 250 impressions and is numbered 94/250. The reverse bears the inscription: “Marilyn. Sunday B Morning. Fill in your own signature”.
Inscriptions: Numbered 94/250 on the reverse. Further inscribed: “Marilyn. Sunday B Morning. Fill in your own signature”.
Dimensions: 90 × 90 cm.
Material: Colour screenprint on paper.
Condition: Good condition. Minor traces of age and storage may be present, consistent with the technique and period of execution.
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) occupies a singular position in the history of art of the second half of the twentieth century as a central figure and defining exponent of American Pop Art. His artistic practice developed during a period marked by the rapid expansion of mass communications, television, advertising and consumer culture. In contrast to the traditional concept of the unique work of art, Warhol regarded repetition and serial production as direct reflections of contemporary society.
The image of Marilyn Monroe became one of the defining motifs of Warhol’s oeuvre. Following the actress’s death in 1962, the artist drew upon a publicity photograph made for the 1953 film Niagara, transforming the cinematic portrait into a universal twentieth-century icon. The Marilyn series became an exploration of fame, beauty, public identity and the mechanisms through which celebrity is constructed and disseminated by mass culture.
The screenprinting process enabled Warhol to align artistic production with the methods of industrial manufacture, an approach that became one of the fundamental principles of Pop Art. Striking colour contrasts, visual flatness and deliberate mechanical repetition became defining characteristics of his artistic language. His New York studio, The Factory, developed into an influential meeting place for art, music, cinema and the avant-garde culture of the 1960s.
Warhol’s representations of Marilyn Monroe are now regarded among the most significant and recognisable images in modern and contemporary art. His works are represented in major international museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Tate Modern in London and The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.
The Sunday B. Morning editions, which appeared during the 1970s, form part of the wider history of the circulation and reception of the celebrated Marilyn imagery. They also reflect the phenomenon of editioned art, which Warhol established as an integral element of twentieth-century visual culture.
The work is in good condition. The paper support and printed surface appear stable. Minor age-related changes and traces of storage may be present, consistent with the period and technique of execution.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
