Skip to main content
0
Info
Due to copyright reasons the image resolution is reduced. We ask for your understanding.
Sturtevant

Warhol Black Marilyn, 2004

Information about the artwork

  • MaterialSynthetic resin paint and silkscreen ink on canvas
  • Dimensions40.5 x 35.5 cm
  • Year of acquisition2016
  • Inventory numberUAB 1057
  • On viewOn view
  • Copyright© The estate of Sturtevant

More about the artwork

Sturtevant was known for repeating the works of other artists. In this way, she turned the visual logic of Pop Art—to reproduce or multiply already existing motifs—back on itself. As early as 1964, she chose works by Andy Warhol for repetition: first his “Flowers” series, and as of 1965 his “Marilyn” depictions. But Sturtevant was not interested in mere, true-to-detail repetition. She objected to the accusation that her works were simple copies and thus upset conventional notions of originality and authorship, for what then distinguishes her works from their predecessors? An answer lies in the “Warhol Black Marilyn” (2004) shown here, to which there is no direct precursor in Warhol’s oeuvre. Sturtevant increased the drastic effect of the original motif. The contour of her lipstick is smeared, her smile turns into a grimace. What was already implicit in Warhol—he began his series in 1962 shortly after Monroe’s death—becomes evident in Sturtevant: the actress is turned into a symbol of transience and mortality.

Further artworks

Artwork: "Dog" from Keith Haring
Keith Haring Dog, 1986
Artwork: "Gun" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Gun, 1981
Artwork: "Untitled (Subway Drawing)" from Keith Haring
Keith Haring Untitled (Subway Drawing), ca. 1982/84
Artwork: "An Evening, Chapter 32" from R.H. Quaytman
R.H. Quaytman An Evening, Chapter 32, 2017
Artwork: "Miss Rona’s Hello" from Kara Walker
Kara Walker Miss Rona’s Hello, 2020
Artwork: "Ladies and Gentlemen (Alphanso Panell)" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Ladies and Gentlemen (Alphanso Panell), 1975
Artwork: "Ladies and Gentlemen (Alphanso Panell)" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Ladies and Gentlemen (Alphanso Panell), 1975
Artwork: "Red Dog" from Keith Haring
Keith Haring Red Dog, 1986/89
Artwork: "The Velvet Underground – Screen Test: Falling in Love with the Falling Spikes" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol The Velvet Underground – Screen Test: Falling in Love with the Falling Spikes, 1985