Andy Warhol , born Andrew Warhola on August 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh and died on February 22, 1987 in New York, was a major American pop art artist. After a successful career as a professional illustrator, he became famous for his paintings, avant-garde films and literature. Warhol managed to build a worldwide reputation thanks to his mastery of media and his role as a guru of modernity. He acted as a connector between artists, intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities, homosexuals, drug addicts, models, bohemians and colorful urban personalities. He was influenced by many artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Truman Capote, Ben Shahn, Tom of Finland and Jack Smith.
Warhol experimented with different media for his creations, such as painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, music, screen printing and film. The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh has the largest permanent collection of art by a single artist in the United States.
Andy Warhol was a controversial figure during his lifetime, with some critics considering his works pretentious or merely humorous. Since his death in 1987, he has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, reviews, books and documentaries. He is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century due to his groundbreaking creations.
