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Andy Warhol. Campbell's Soup Cans. 1962 40

Acrylic with metallic enamel paint on canvas, 32 panels, Each canvas 20 x 16" (50.8 x 40.6 cm).
Overall installation with 3" between each panel is 97" high x 163" wide. Partial gift of Irving Blum Additional funding provided by Nelson A. Rockefeller Bequest, gift of Mr. and Mrs. William A. M. Burden, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund, gift of Nina and Gordon Bunshaft, acquired through the Lillie P. Bliss Bequest, Philip Johnson Fund, Frances R. Keech Bequest, gift of Mrs. Bliss Parkinson, and Florence B. Wesley Bequest (all by exchange). © 2024 Andy Warhol Foundation / ARS, NY / TM Licensed by Campbell's Soup Co. All rights reserved.

Narrator: Take a minute to look at the way these paintings are arranged. Does it remind you of anything?

Well, when artist Andy Warhol made these paintings, he stacked all of them on a shelf on the wall the same way cans are stocked on a shelf in a grocery store.

Warhol’s paintings use images from popular culture like ads, newspapers, photos of movie stars, and everyday products.

He got the idea to make these paintings because he ate Campbell’s soup for lunch! He said, “I used to have the same lunch every day, for twenty years, I guess, the same thing over and over again.”

Take a few steps back and look at all the paintings together. Do you see how the colors and shapes form a pattern? From here it almost looks like the paintings are identical to each other. But move a few steps closer—not too close.

Now, take a look at the labels on the cans. Do you notice any differences among them?

When Warhol painted these, there were thirty–two kinds of Campbell’s soup and they’re all right here on this wall. Take a minute to find your favorite. You can ask your grown–up to help. And while you’re at it, have them point out what their favorite is, too.