In 1962, Warhol became extremely excited about photographic silkscreen printing. It was this technique that would become Warhol's most definitive style: it was simple, quick and he could perform slight modifications to the same photo over and over again. It is hard to imagine, but it was pure coincidence Warhol decided to portray Marilyn Monroe in one of his earliest, and undoubtably his most famous, works of pop art. She ended her life that same month, and her beautiful face, as well as her fame, seemed a great foundation for his repetitive print and cartoon-like artwork. He was right about that!
The photograph Warhol selected was a publicity shot from the 1953 movie 'Niagara' which Marilyn had previously starred in. He created numerous Monroe pop artworks using this image including “Marilyn Diptych” which is now seen as one of the world’s most influential pieces of Modern art. Instead of drawing or painting her face, Warhol chose an existing photo he knew almost anyone would recognise. But why Monroe? Marilyn embodies celebrity status and the notion of being a 'sex symbol'. Featuring famous people in pop art became one of the defining characteristic of the movement throughout the 60s: it is an ironic commentary about mass media's obsession with celebrity culture.