Nine Jackies

For Immediate Release

ANDY WARHOL

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has revealed its latest piece in its’ Modern Art section. The recent piece displayed in the Modern Art section is entitled “Nine Jackies” by Andy Warhol.

The 1964 “Nine Jackies,”(1983.606.14-22,) presented at the MET is one of many pieces by Andy Warhol dedicated to Jackie Kennedy Onassis. “Nine Jackies,” is an acrylic and silkscreen on canvas display, categorized in the pop art genre.

“Nine Jackies’,” original photo is of Jackie Kennedy Onassis moments before those famous shots were fired, killing John F. Kennedy. The image of Jackie is repeated in a precise way to show how ubiquitous and significant that moment was in history. The photo can be assumed to be the last time Jackie smiled before that historical moment occurred. Through time the color blue has signified sadness, loyalty, faith, and heaven. The opted shade of blue implies a sense of sadness to come and even puts a heartrending weight on your shoulders. As the color blue fades from the recurring nine photos, over the right shoulder of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the face of John F. Kennedy becomes more apparent. This piece is definitely something to see on your own to further understand the beauty and repetition of Andy Warhol’s “Nine Jackies”.

Andy Warhol was very specific in selecting to repeat the image nine times, as Warhol uses the number nine in other pieces of his work as well. Though we do not know Warhol’s symbolism behind using the number nine, the number nine is a known symbolic number. The number nine has been said to represent pain or sadness. As well nine come from the Hebrew word v’Tetay’-shah [tish-aw] meaning to look at or gaze at.

Andy Warhol (1928-1987) has been said to be a pioneer of the Pop Art movement as well as one of the most influential prolific artists of the 20^th century. He is famous for his Campbell Soup cans, and has been inspired to do pieces on Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and Queen Elizabeth.

“Nine Jackies,” shows a time when the public was obsessed with this tragic event, through years the public has suppressed this moment and this piece has been installed to pay tribute to Jackie Kennedy Onassis.