Radical, mass production, pop culture, new theories: these phrases have one thing in common. These ideas, beliefs and lifestyles were all trending and thriving during the 1960s. It was the time of original ideas, contemporary art forms, as well as the development of ways of consuming and producing. Warhol, one of the most popular artists of the time, wanted to appeal to these ideas in his artwork. His prominent work, Golden Marilyn Monroe, was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe after her death in 1962. In addition to an artistic commemoration, this visual work is also a synthesis of the effects that society and popular culture have had on humankind: both the masses and notable figures of this time. Set against a gold background with a small silk print of Marilyn's face stretched out in the center of the enormous canvas, this piece might seem too simple to be "real art." Some, unaware of its history or significance, may say, “I could do that, it's not special at all!” What makes this piece unique, however, is not the artistry or the detailed landscape, but the meanings and appeals attached to this iconic image, as well as the history and audience at the time of its release. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To know the piece, you have to know the muse itself. Marilyn Monroe was a famous actress and model from the 1940s to the 1960s. However, she was most famous as a popular "sex symbol" in the 1950s. Marilyn was the perfect example of another new invention of modern society: the glorious, idolized celebrity. The viewer sees portrayed in Warhol's use of color. If you look at many works of art from the Byzantine Empire, you see many cases of almost plain gold backgrounds behind sacred figures and saints. Warhol's work on Monroe is very reminiscent of that style. The same golden features are set behind the image of a figurehead, almost placing Monroe where the Virgin Mary was once held. Warhol thus shows the tendency towards divine statuses that our modern society has attributed to popular figures and celebrities and how they have become the new center of social worship. In addition to idolizing famous people, Warhol also sought to portray a more personal issue than modern celebrities. Monroe carried a brand, an outward image that she would show to the world. A reputation that hides its true spirit from prying eyes. Warhol displayed this characteristic in the bright colors printed over the black of the original print. The colors show the outer mask that hides the true inner colors. We must also know the ideas of time itself. During this century, society was more mechanized than ever and mass production was at an all-time high. Consumers went from purchasing products uniquely made by a single seller to mass-produced items that were identical in all areas of the nation. Socially and economically, America was becoming an identical people; unified by the commodity they crave. Warhol showed this event in many of his paintings during this period. This is especially seen in the repetitive atmosphere of his painting Campbell's Cans. But even if in his Gold Marilyn we don't see any speed, in his medium we see a reference to mass production. Instead of detailed and time-consuming painting methods, Warhol used a method called silkscreen. This method involves using silk, glue and ink to create a sort of stamp or stencil. Therefore, this method resembles factory repetition of printed labels, written on soup cans and pictures.