Crosses (Warhol)

Andy Warhol's "Crosses" is a series of silkscreen paintings and prints created primarily in the early 1980s. The series depicts simple Christian crosses, often repeated or layered, rendered in Warhol's signature style, characterized by bold colors, stark contrasts, and a focus on mass production and repetition.

The "Crosses" series is notable for its departure from Warhol's more well-known subjects like celebrities, consumer goods, and disasters. Its exploration of religious imagery has been interpreted in various ways, including as a commentary on commercialism within religion, a personal expression of faith (Warhol was a devout Byzantine Catholic), or simply another instance of Warhol appropriating and recontextualizing familiar imagery.

The crosses themselves are often depicted in bright, almost gaudy colors, juxtaposing the religious symbol with the Pop Art aesthetic. Warhol employed his screenprinting technique to create multiple versions of the image, often with slight variations in color and registration, further emphasizing the theme of mass production and repetition. Some pieces within the series feature layered crosses, creating a sense of depth and complexity.

The "Crosses" series has been exhibited extensively and is considered a significant, albeit perhaps less celebrated, body of work within Warhol's larger oeuvre. The works explore themes of religion, commerce, and the impact of mass media on traditional symbols.