Gold Marilyn Monroe
Silkscreen ink and acrylic on canvas • Andy Warhol
Style & Movement
Pop Art
Medium & Technique
Silkscreen printing technique combined with hand-painted acrylic background. The process involved transferring a publicity photograph from the film ‘Niagara’ onto canvas using a mesh screen, layered over a shimmering metallic gold ground.
Creation Period
1962
Dimensions & Format
211.4 x 144.7 cm (83 1/4 x 57 inches). Large vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
The work features a small portrait of Marilyn Monroe centered in a vast field of gold paint. The composition mimics the format of a Byzantine religious icon, effectively 'deifying' the Hollywood star. The vibrant, slightly misaligned colors of her face (pink skin, yellow hair, turquoise eye shadow) contrast with the somber, expensive-looking gold void.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. The work is museum-grade and has been professionally maintained as a cornerstone of the MoMA collection.
Estimated Market Value
$80,000,000 - $120,000,000 (Based on similar high-tier Warhol sales like 'Shot Sage Blue Marilyn' which sold for over $195M, though this unique format is considered priceless).
Auction Estimate
$100,000,000+
Provenance History
Acquired by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, as a gift of Philip Johnson in 1962. It has been a permanent fixture of the museum's collection since its creation year.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most iconic works of the 20th century, it was created shortly after Monroe's death in August 1962. It marks Warhol's transition from commercial illustrator to the leading figure of Pop Art, exploring themes of celebrity mortality, consumerism, and the intersection of mass media and high art.
Notable Features
The juxtaposition of the small image against the massive gold field creates a unique sense of isolation. The use of gold leaf-like acrylic purposefully references the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood and traditional Christian altarpieces.
Condition Issues
Minimal aging visible in the metallic acrylic ground; minor surface dust or micro-cracks consistent with a 60-year-old canvas. No major structural damage or significant fading noted.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with strict UV-filtered lighting. Periodic inspection of the canvas tension and stability of the metallic pigment layer is recommended.