Andy Warhol’s extraordinary life through 170 artworks
You may know him for his Campbell’s Soup series or from the giant multi-color portraits of Marilyn Monroe, but what you may not know is that Andy Warhol was not just the leader of the Pop Art movement, he left his iconic mark on the music, cinema and fashion worlds as well.
To raise the curtains into one of the most interesting artists the world has ever seen, more than 170 artworks are on display at Complesso del Vittoriano till May 5, 2019. An exhibition that will guide visitors through the unique world of Andy Warhol: the man who believed everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame. An artist who did not want to get into politics, but who influenced the masses, an artist who believed his artwork had no deeper meaning, but who’s art captured the true essence of the modern world.
Warhol was impressed and inspired by objects that could destroy the barriers between the rich and poor: everyone can afford a Coca-Cola, and for how much more purchasing power a millionaire has, his/her Coca-Cola won’t ever be better than anyone else’s.
Serigrafia su carta, 88,9×58,4 cm
Collezione Eugenio Falcioni, Monaco (MC)
© The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Inc. by SIAE 2018 per A. Warhol
The exhibition path is divided in different themes and kicks off with Icons, displaying the protagonists who inspired and influenced Warhol’s art. From the acclaimed Campbell’s Soup series to Ladies and Gentlemen and various portraits of celebrities and historic figures who have been transformed in pop icons. Not to mention portraits of Mao, Lenin and many of Andy’s self portraits too. The exhibition moves into the world of Fashion, displaying Andy’s connection to the fashion world, including the famous Italian portraits of icons such as Giorgio Armani and Regina Schrecker.
From Fashion we are taken into the world of Music, starting with the portraits of Mick Jagger, Rats and Star, Miguel Bosè, Billy Squier and more, until we get to the limited edition vinyl covers exclusively produced by Andy Warhol. One of the most renowned is the peelable banana cover art of The Velvet Underground & Nico. But don’t just stare at this fantastic cover, grab the headphones and let the music transport you back in time.
Collezione privata, Monaco (MC)
© The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Inc. by SIAE 2018 per A. Warhol
As you keep following the exhibition path, you are taken into a room full of polaroids. These were Warhol’s great obsession and starting point of his screen printing technique. Hundreds of polaroids of Grace Jones, the Princess of Monaco and singers like Stevie Wonder and Paul Anka fill the walls. Pictures taken in some of the trendiest clubs of the moment like in Studio 54 or the Max’s Kansas City. Take a deep breath and a good look at all these pictures before stepping inside the last section paying tribute to great cinema stars such as Liz Taylor, Judy Garland, Silvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Andy Warhol. The True Essence is one of this year’s most awaited exhibitions, whose aim is to highlight the incredible life of Warhol, who not only changed forever the connotations of the art world, but also those of music, cinema and fashion.
Complesso del Vittoriano
Via San Pietro in Carcere (Piazza Venezia)
Till 5 May 2019
Opening hours:
Mon–Thurs 9.30am–7.30 pm; Fri –Sat, 9.30 am–10 pm; Sun 9.30am – 8.30pm
Entry fee: €11-13
