Andy Warhol

If Picasso was the dominant artist of the first half of the 20^th century, Warhol was surely the pre-eminent figure of the second half.

Not only was he renowned as a painter, printmaker and film producer, he was also a major celebrity.

Warhol studied art in Pittsburgh before working as a graphic artist in advertising in New York.

His first one man exhibition was in 1952 and he soon became widely known as a controversial Pop Artist. He drew his subject matter from popular material such as advertisements, newspapers, still photos of film stars and comics. He famously produced work derived from everyday consumer goods such as Campbell Soup cans and Brillo boxes.

Another hallmark style is the repetition of the image within the same picture. Perhaps the most famous are his multiple pictures of Marilyn Monroe or of Coke bottles.

Perhaps most controversial was his opposition to the idea of the artist as a craftsman, directly involved in hand making the work. He called his studio “The Factory” and was happy to devolve the production of some work to his assistants.

“ The reason I am painting this way is that I want to be a machine”

Warhol’s work commands high prices and is held in most major public collections of modern art worldwide.