Marilyn Monroe 21
by Andy Warhol
Year: 1967
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 6 x 6 in (15.24 x 15.24 cm)
Edition: 100
Signed
A defining image of 1960s Pop Art, Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe 21 (1967) transforms the actress’s iconic likeness into a compact study of celebrity and mass culture. Executed as a 6 × 6-inch screenprint, this signed work belongs to an edition of 100. Its intimate scale, striking graphic language, and association with Warhol’s celebrated Marilyn series make it a compelling addition to a discerning collection, with signed status providing an important provenance signal.
Marilyn Monroe 21 belongs to Andy Warhol’s landmark 1962 Marilyn Monroe series, created soon after the actress’s death. Warhol based the image on a publicity photograph from the 1953 film Niagara, turning Monroe’s face into a symbol of celebrity, beauty, fame, and mortality. There is no authentic street-graffiti version; the image was developed through Warhol’s studio silkscreen process, where repetition and color became central to his Pop Art language.
For collectors, Marilyn remains one of Warhol’s most important subjects. Strong examples carry lasting demand because the image is instantly recognizable and central to the history of Pop Art. Edition, color, condition, provenance, and authentication all matter when assessing rarity and market value.
From a curator’s perspective, Warhol’s genius is in the tension: Monroe looks glamorous, yet the repeated image reminds us how quickly fame can become an icon after death.
The work anchors Warhol’s early celebrity portrait practice and relates to his Elvis, Liz Taylor, and later Mick Jagger portraits. For collectors, Marilyn Monroe 21 offers an enduring piece of Warhol’s most influential period, with exceptional cultural recognition and strong display appeal.
More Andy Warhol Works to Explore
Marilyn Monroe 21
by Andy Warhol
Year: 1967
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 6 x 6 in (15.24 x 15.24 cm)
Edition: 100
A defining image of 1960s Pop Art, Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe 21 (1967) transforms the actress’s iconic likeness into a compact study of celebrity and mass culture. Executed as a 6 × 6-inch screenprint, this signed work belongs to an edition of 100. Its intimate scale, striking graphic language, and association with Warhol’s celebrated Marilyn series make it a compelling addition to a discerning collection, with signed status providing an important provenance signal.
Marilyn Monroe 21 belongs to Andy Warhol’s landmark 1962 Marilyn Monroe series, created soon after the actress’s death. Warhol based the image on a publicity photograph from the 1953 film Niagara, turning Monroe’s face into a symbol of celebrity, beauty, fame, and mortality. There is no authentic street-graffiti version; the image was developed through Warhol’s studio silkscreen process, where repetition and color became central to his Pop Art language.
For collectors, Marilyn remains one of Warhol’s most important subjects. Strong examples carry lasting demand because the image is instantly recognizable and central to the history of Pop Art. Edition, color, condition, provenance, and authentication all matter when assessing rarity and market value.
From a curator’s perspective, Warhol’s genius is in the tension: Monroe looks glamorous, yet the repeated image reminds us how quickly fame can become an icon after death.
The work anchors Warhol’s early celebrity portrait practice and relates to his Elvis, Liz Taylor, and later Mick Jagger portraits. For collectors, Marilyn Monroe 21 offers an enduring piece of Warhol’s most influential period, with exceptional cultural recognition and strong display appeal.