Pittsburgh Arts & Entertainment Winter 2013 | Page 14
Museums
Museums
The Man Who Painted the
Campbell’s Soup Cans
By Abby Mathieu
Biography
Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928, as Andrew Warhola. Andy was the
youngest of three boys. As Andy grew older, his
father noticed his talents and began saving money
for his son to attend college. After graduating from
Schenley High School, Warhol attended the Institute
of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University,
from 1945-1949. There, he earned a Bachelor of
Fine Arts in Pictorial Design. After graduating,
Warhol uprooted to New York City to do commercial design. Here, he became one of the most
successful illustrators of all time.
In the 1960’s he began focusing more on
painting and debuted his first Pop paintings. In 1962,
he released his famous Campbell’s Soup Can
painttings, and shortly after, he began releasing his
celebrity portraits which featured individuals such as
Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Aside from his Pop paintings, Warhol also produced
videos, managed a band, published artists’ books, and
much, much more.
Throughout Warhol’s life, he experienced many
health problems. On February 20, 1987, he experienced chronic gall bladder problems and was
admitted into the hospital. The doctors were able to
successfully take out Warhol’s gall bladder. However,
complication arose over the night when Warhol went
into cardiac arrest and passed away. He was only 58
years old.
Monumental Moments for Warhol
1928
Andy Warhol
is born in
Pittsburgh, PA
1949
Warhol, 58,
passes away at
New York City
Hospital
Warhol releases
the first edition
of Interview
Magazine
Warhol graduates
from the Institute
of Technology an
moves to NYC
1962
1969
Warhol introduces
Campbell’s Soup
Can painting
1974
1987
Warhol begins
Time Capsules
that are now
stored at the
Warhol Museum.
Data obtained from warhol.org
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