Andy Warhol's portraits of Elizabeth Taylor are some of the most iconic works of pop art ever created. But beyond their dazzling colors and striking compositions, Warhol's portraits of Taylor also served as a critique of consumerism and the cult of celebrity.
In the 1960s, America was experiencing a period of unprecedented economic growth and consumption. Warhol was fascinated by this culture of consumerism, and he saw Taylor as the embodiment of the American dream. She was beautiful, successful, and wealthy, and she represented the best of what America had to offer.
However, Warhol was also critical of the dark side of consumerism. He saw how it could lead to materialism, greed, and a superficial obsession with celebrity. In his portraits of Taylor, Warhol often subverted the traditional image of the glamorous Hollywood star. He would depict her with garish makeup, artificial-looking hair, and even a hint of sadness in her eyes.
One example of Warhol's subversive portraits of Taylor is Liz (1964). This portrait is based on a publicity photo for the film Butterfield 8, but Warhol has made a number of changes to the image. He has cropped it closely, giving it a claustrophobic feel. He has also exaggerated Taylor's features, making her eyes look larger and her lips look more pouty. The result is a portrait that is both alluring and disturbing.
Another example is Blue Liz as Cleopatra (1963). This portrait depicts Taylor in fifteen different poses, all in blue. The repetition of the image creates a sense of monotony and alienation. It also suggests that Taylor is not a real person, but rather a mass-produced commodity.
Through his portraits of Taylor, Warhol was able to critique consumerism and the cult of celebrity in a way that was both insightful and entertaining. He showed us how the American dream could be corrupted by greed and materialism. He also showed us how celebrities were often treated as objects to be consumed, rather than as real people with complex emotions and lives.
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