Andy Warhol between Elvis and Naples at the Gallerie d'Italia

It opened at Galleries of Italy di Napoli (until February 16, 2025) the exhibition 'Andy Warhol.

Warhol's Art: Triple Elvis

The exhibition aims to explore the original and extraordinary artistic research of Andy Warhol, starting from one of his most iconic works: 'Triple Elvis' from 1963. This work marks the beginning of his exploration of the repetition of the image, as evidenced in the 'Elvis Paintings' exhibited for the first time at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles.

The Graphic Cycles of the Sixties and Seventies

The exhibition offers an overview of Warhol's artistic evolution in the 1960s and early 1970s, through three important graphic cycles never exhibited together before: 'Marilyn', 'Mao Tse-Tung' and 'Electric Chairs'. These cycles allow us to observe the progressive maturation of his technique and his growing interest in the icons of popular and political culture.

The Voice of Art Collections

“The wealth of masterpieces present in the Bank's art collections, starting from the exceptional core of the Agrati collection – declares Michele Coppola, Executive Director of Art, Culture and Historical Heritage of Intesa Sanpaolo – strengthens the desire to increasingly share the variety, beauty and value in our Gallerie d'Italia.” This initiative confirms the importance of an innovative cultural space, capable of proposing exhibitions that attract both Neapolitan citizens and the city's many tourists.

A Tribute to Naples

Mayor Gaetano Manfredi highlighted how the new headquarters of the Gallerie d'Italia, two years after its opening, has become a cultural and tourist reference point for Naples. The exhibition, with the participation of significant works such as the “Triple Elvis” and portraits of iconic figures such as Mao and Marilyn Monroe, represents a link between the historicity of Naples and new cultural trends. Manfredi added: “Naples is a city with an ancient history but that always looks to the future, an open world city capable of intercepting new trends”.

The Works on Display

The exhibition opens with two graphic cycles: 'Electric Chairs', a series of 10 silkscreens that use the image of an electric chair as a political icon and a reflection on mortality, and 'Mao', another 10 silkscreens that portray the Chinese leader with a strong use of color, dating back to 1972. The exhibition also includes the 'Marylin' series from 1967 and a photographic portrait of Warhol by Duane Michals, where the artist appears and disappears. The exhibition ends with two works entitled 'Vesuvius', belonging to the Intesa Sanpaolo collection. This exhibition represents a unique opportunity to explore Andy Warhol's art and its relationship with popular culture and politics, offering the public a deep insight into his work and his lasting impact on the global art scene.