Campbell's Soup Cans

Campbells Soup Cans MOMA

Campbell's Soup Cans, also known as 32 Campbell's Soup Cans, is a work of art produced in 1962 by Andy Warhol. It consists of thirty-two canvases, each measuring 20 inches in height by 16 inches in width and each featuring a can of Campbell's Soup, with each canvas depicting a different flavor. The work is a notable example of the Pop Art movement, which emerged in the 1950s and became prominent over the following decade, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Background

Andy Warhol, a leading figure in the Pop Art movement, sought to challenge traditional conceptions of art by incorporating elements of popular and commercial culture into his work. Prior to creating Campbell's Soup Cans, Warhol had been experimenting with various subjects from consumer goods and advertisements. The choice of Campbell's Soup cans as subject matter was partly due to their iconic status as a staple of American cuisine and their omnipresence in households across the country.

Concept and Design

The series of paintings is characterized by its uniform size and repetition, with each canvas meticulously replicating the familiar red and white design of the Campbell's Soup can label. This repetition was a deliberate choice by Warhol to mirror the mass production processes of the goods depicted, as well as to comment on the nature of consumerism and the commodification of culture.

Warhol employed a semi-mechanized silkscreen process to create the series, a technique that allowed for the efficient production of multiple copies. This method further underscored the themes of mass production and uniformity central to the work.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its first exhibition at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles in 1962, Campbell's Soup Cans provoked mixed reactions from the public and critics alike. Some viewed it as a groundbreaking shift in the landscape of contemporary art, while others dismissed it as trivial or mundane. Despite initial mixed reviews, the series has since become an iconic symbol of the Pop Art movement and a seminal work in Warhol's oeuvre.

The Campbell's Soup Cans series has had a profound impact on the art world, challenging traditional boundaries between 'high' art and 'low' culture and influencing generations of artists to explore the intersections between art, consumerism, and media.

In Popular Culture

The imagery of the Campbell's Soup Cans has transcended the art world to become an emblem of American pop culture, appearing on various merchandise and inspiring numerous parodies and homages in media and advertising.

See Also

• Pop Art
• Andy Warhol
• Art of the United States
• Consumerism in art