Andy Warhol (1928–1987) was an iconic American artist and a leading figure in the Pop Art movement, known for his exploration of consumer culture, celebrity, and mass production. Warhol's work revolutionized the art world by challenging traditional boundaries between high art and commercial art, often using imagery from advertisements, comic strips, and popular culture. His pieces are characterized by their bright colors, repetition, and bold, graphic style.
Warhol’s early career began in advertising and illustration, but he gained fame in the 1960s with his now-iconic silkscreen prints of cultural figures like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Mao Zedong, as well as his depictions of everyday consumer products, such as Campbell's Soup cans and Coca-Cola bottles. Through these works, Warhol explored themes of fame, commodification, and the influence of mass media. His studio, known as “The Factory,” became a cultural hotspot for artists, musicians, and celebrities, symbolizing his embrace of New York’s vibrant social scene.