In 1964, Warhol painted five, colored Marilyns, all in a 40-inch-square format, but, with different colored backgrounds: red, orange, light blue, sage blue and turquoise. The paintings were stored at Warhol's studio on East 47th Street in Manhattan.
The studio was always a hang-out, particularly in the 1960's & 70's and was named The Factory. In the 60's visitors to The Factory included New York socialites, entertainers, artists, writers, drug addicts, hangers-on... a whole array of people. In 1964, just as Warhol was completing a series of "Marilyn" canvases, Dorothy Podber (a speed-freak and friend of Factory photographer, Billy Name) arrived at Warhol's studio and upon seeing the freshly completed paintings, asked Warhol if she could shoot them. Warhol, apparently not comprehending Podber's meaning of the word "shoot" agreed, at which time Podber removed her pair of white gloves, pulled a small revolver from her purse and fired a bullet into the stack of four "Marilyn" paintings, which became known as ''The Shot Marilyns.'' (Missing was the one with the turquoise background.)
So, please note that prints of "The Shot Marilyns" DO have a small discoloration on the forehead, where the bullet-hole is, in the originals. The Warhol Foundation feels it important NOT to re-touch the spots on the ensuing prints, because of the history surrounding "The Shot Marilyn" paintings.
