Sitting Bull 1986

This is Andy Warhol’s "Sitting Bull," one of a series of silkscreen prints called “Cowboys and Indians." Silkscreen printing is a process by which ink is pushed through a fine mesh to create an image, allowing for mass production. Warhol embraced this technique, blurring the boundaries between fine art and commercial production. Notice how the bold colors are applied in flat areas, with slight misalignments of the mesh that give the print a layered effect. This approach emphasizes the flatness of the image, turning the iconic figure of Sitting Bull into a Pop art commodity. By appropriating this image and reproducing it in vibrant, artificial colors, Warhol raises questions about authenticity, representation, and the commodification of cultural symbols. The print reflects his interest in the mass media and its role in shaping our perceptions of identity and history. Warhol’s choice of silkscreen underscores a democratic ethos, making art accessible to a wider audience while critiquing the very mechanisms of fame and consumption.