Warhol’s Paloma Picasso, published in Volume VI of the six-volume portfolio, America’s Hommage à Picasso, containing works by 68 artists, is a unique acetate positive of Pablo Picasso’s daughter, Paloma. The vibrant colors of the orange, purple, and turquoise paper that cover Paloma’s right eye sharply contrasts the black and white shading that Warhol uses on her face. It is this contrast that directs the viewer’s gaze towards Paloma’s exposed eye, luring the viewer into her world that she stares off into beyond the context of the paper.
PALOMA PICASSO 121 AS PART OF ANDY WARHOL’S LARGER BODY OF WORK
Paloma Picasso was a fashion designer and one of Andy Warhol’s closest friends. She often confided in him about her jewelry line, and they enjoyed nights out together. Warhol used acetates of his photographs and drawings for his screenprints, including Paloma Picasso. This particular piece is a testament of Warhol’s significant contribution to screenprinting, as the work of acetates was the most important element in this creative process.