The Fascinating Link Between Andy Warhol And Campbell's Canned Soup
NEWS
By ANN MEYER
In 1962, artist Andy Warhol created "Campbell's Soup Cans," a series of 32 paintings of Campbell's canned soups, which is now a fixture in New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
Displayed in rows to imitate how the cans are stocked on grocery store shelves, each canvas depicts a different flavor spanning from classic tomato to comforting chicken noodles.
Before creating the masterpiece, Warhol itched for a muse as he worked as a commercial artist in New York City, watching his peers host art shows and receive raving reviews.
In 1961, art dealer Muriel Latow gave Warhol an idea for $50. She suggested painting something recognizable, "Something like a can of Campbell's soup" (via Smithsonian Magazine).
Warhol embarked on the project the very next day. However, he credited the decision to his eating habits, stating he had eaten Campbell's soup daily for lunch for 20 years.
His love for the cans also stemmed from their consistency and dependability. Additionally, Warhol observed that the cans' uniformity helps them transcend class differences.
