Yvaral – Marilyn Monroe silkscreen print (1970)

Marilyn's icon revisited through kinetic art

This silkscreen print by Yvaral embodies the fusion of pop iconography and the visual explorations of kinetic art. Created around 1970, it reflects the fascination of modern artists with iconic images of Marilyn Monroe, transformed through innovative visual processes. The work testifies to the dialogue established by the post-Vasarely generation with contemporary imagery.

The Work

Titled "Marilyn Monroe," this 75×75 cm (29.5×29.5 in) silkscreen print is signed and dedicated by the artist. Dated circa 1970, it represents a significant example of Yvaral's serial practice, which explored the potential of reproduction and optical variation. The square format, a characteristic dimension of his work, lends the image a monumental presence. This annotated artist's proof constitutes a primary document of the creation, reflecting the artist's experimental intentions and systematic working method.

L'Artiste

Yvaral, born Jean-Pierre Vasarely in 1934, is the son of Victor Vasarely, the founder of the Kinetic Art movement. Continuing his father's exploration of optical and kinetic art, Yvaral developed a personal visual language based on the series, variation, and multiplication of images. His work falls within the realm of programmed art and the systematic pursuit of visual effects. Yvaral's works remain major references in kinetic art, regularly fetching high prices on the contemporary and modern art market. His approach to the iconic image reflects a profound consideration of reproducibility and modernity.

Technical & Publishing

Screen printing was chosen for this composition, a process that allows for high print quality and chromatic precision. Signed and dedicated by the artist, the work benefits from immediate authenticity. Its status as an artist's proof (annotated as such by Yvaral) is of particular importance: it is a version intended for archiving and quality control, prior to or concurrent with the commercial print run. This handwritten annotation, specific to the artist's practice, constitutes a guarantee of provenance and creative intent. Artist's proofs remain privileged states within the world of printed art.

Conservation state

The work is in the condition expected for a piece from this period. A physical inspection would confirm the color integrity, the absence of tears, and the stability of the sheet. Yvaral's serigraphs, created on museum-quality paper, generally retain their colors well when not exposed to prolonged direct light. The artist's signature and annotation remain legible and authenticable. Appropriate framing is recommended to ensure optimal long-term preservation.

The team's opinion The Auctionlab

This silkscreen print by Yvaral represents a significant opportunity to acquire a pivotal work of modern kinetic art. Its monumental format, direct signature, and status as an annotated artist's proof confer a certain authenticity and rarity on the market. The iconography of Marilyn Monroe, here exploited through Yvaral's optical logic, perfectly embodies the dialogue between high art and mass culture that characterized the 1970s. For collectors of kinetic art or revisited pop art, this piece is a definitive example.