Andy Warhol and Mortality
Andy Warhol's fascination with 'death and disaster' led to deep personal reflection and exploration of the transient nature of life.
As the son of Slovak immigrants, his youth was steeped in the mystical rites of the Byzantine Catholic Church and the strong religious convictions of his mother, Julia Warhola. Like many immigrants drawn to the flourishing industrial center of Pittsburgh around the turn of the century, the Warhola family was attracted by the dream of prosperity. However, the reality of life in America was harsher and more complicated than they might have expected.
Upon their arrival, the Warholas cherished their traditions and faith, which provided comfort in the grim environment of Pittsburgh. These influences from his childhood continued to affect Warhol throughout his adult life and became an important theme in his work.
Mortality
Warhol was acutely aware of the fragility and mortality of life, which caused him to live in a constant state of anxiety. He worried about his health from a young age, and even more so after the assassination attempt on his life in 1968, which nearly killed him. This event had a profound impact on him, both psychologically and physically. The incident left notable scars, and Warhol had to wear a medical corset for the rest of his life.
In 1962, Warhol created his first painting on the theme of death, titled 129 Die (Plane Crash). It is a large hand-painted depiction of a tabloid cover, concerning the crash of a Boeing 707. This accident occurred in June, just two months before the suicide of Marilyn Monroe, possibly causing Warhol to not only dwell on thoughts of death but also inspiring him to create his series of iconic 'Marilyns' later that same year.
Andy Warhol, Self-Portrait with Skull, 1978, Medium: acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen. The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. 1998.1.813. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. c/o Pictoright Amsterdam 2025.
Witty Playfulness
Warhol's fascination with the theme of 'death and disaster' evolved into a personal reflection and exploration of the transience of life. The exhibition Andy Warhol: Vanitas presents some rarely displayed artworks by Warhol, such as the series of skull drawings and his self-portraits featuring a skull. In 1978, Warhol photographed and painted himself with a skull balancing on his head and shoulder. He had bought the skull at a Parisian flea market in the mid-1970s. Although the assassination attempt on his life brought him close to death and changed him forever, these self-portraits also display a distinctly witty playfulness.