Marilyn Diptych

Marilyn Diptych
Marilyn-Diptych-by-Andy-Warhol
Artist Andy Warhol
Year 1962
Medium Acrylic on canvas
Location Tate
Dimensions 80.88 in × 114.00 in
205.44 cm × 289.56 cm

Marilyn Diptych is a masterful piece of art completed in 1962. Created by one of the most influential American painters, Andy Warhol used this painting to pay homage to the iconic Marilyn Monroe. The 50 images of the actress’ face created an unforgettable artistic portrayal.

Style and Technique

The painting was created by using a silk-screening process. Warhol used this procedure by using a woven mesh and stencils to transfer paint onto an enamel canvas. The repetitive images are at their surface alike, but upon further investigation you see how the oil and acrylic paints create different shades and visibility of Marilyn’s face. The left side of the painting utilizes color. Bright hues of yellow, orange and green provide a stark contrast to the right side of the painting. The 25 images on the right are in black and white, with some of the images being distorted and the actresses face barely seen. The viewer is prompted to question the differences, but Warhol insists that there is no correlation between Marilyn’s life and the distorted images.

Marilyn Diptych remains one of the most well-known pieces of art of our time. The critically acclaimed painting immortalizes a figure that was on her own larger than life.