“Marilyn (Vanitas),” created by Audrey Flack in 1977, is an evocative painting rendered in oil, acrylic, and canvas. The artwork belongs to the Photorealism and Pop Art movements and is categorized under symbolic painting and vanitas genres.
The artwork is a vibrant and intricate still life composition, featuring various elements that are both symbolic and visually striking. Central to the piece is an image of a smiling woman, potentially evoking the iconic visage of Marilyn Monroe. Surrounding this image are multiple objects, including a framed portrait, a sculpted rose, candles, a string of pearls, fruit, a blue goblet, and other domestic items, all meticulously rendered with photorealistic detail. The use of bright and contrasting colors such as red, blue, and gold enhances the overall exuberance and sensory richness of the composition. Each element within the artwork carries potential symbolism, drawing on themes of beauty, temporality, and the passage of time, characteristic of the vanitas genre.
