Marilyn Monroe

Mediums: oil, canvas, enamel.
Location: The Museum of Modern Art, New York (the USA).

Marilyn Monroe, a symbol of American culture, beauty, youth and sexuality, is a favourite object of many Pop-art representatives. James Rosenquist created this painting soon after the sudden demise of the actress, unusually representing her. Dividing the woman’s face into several parts, he placed her smiling mouth, eye and arm in random order, with the inscription “Marilyn Monroe” on top. In addition to this inscription, the Coca-Cola logo is also present in the picture, applied upside down in light, barely distinguishable letters over the entire main composition. The presence of the trademark suggests that Marilyn Monroe was not interesting to anyone as a person, but was only a symbol of mass culture, as ubiquitous as a bottle of the popular drink.