Color Composition Analysis
Abstract
This project delves into the iconic "Shot Marilyns" a series of paintings by Andy Warhol. The study aims to study the chromatic structures of the paintings by focusing on regions of interests and RGB distribution to explore the reason how these hue choices enhance the viewer's experience with each painting, and a deep dive into Andy Warhol's artistic philosophy.
Introduction
Andy Warhol's Shot Marilyns are a seminal work in modern art history, created following the death of Marilyn Monroe. The series comprises of five portraits against varied backgrounds of orange, red, light blue, turquoise, and sage blue, each using Monroe's publicity photo from her film "Niagara" as the base. The name "Shot Marilyns" was due to four of the five paintings being shot by an actual bullet by Warhol's friend, a photographer by the name of Dorothy Podber. The paintings are an exemplary example that showcases Warhol's innovative and brilliant use of colors as it uses contrasts and vibrant shades to accentuate the beauty and glamour of Monroe. The five paintings comprises of different chromatic compositions in relation to their different backgrounds and each painting accentuates the portrait of Monroe in a different manner. Nevertheless, these contrasts are what immortalizes these paintings till this day. Hence, this analysis will be comparing the distribution of these colors in RGB format to get a closer look on how Warhol adds this layer of emotional complexity that continues to captivate the people.
Methodology
1. Distribution of RGB Coordinates: An image consists of pixels and these pixels consists of coordinates that correlates to basic colors of red, green, and blue. These distributions are visualized to check the complexity and difference of color in each versions.
2. Conditional Entropy between RGB Coordinates: To examine the association between the RGB coordinates, conditional entropy is calculated to check if pairs of RGB has correlation with each other.
3. Color Distributions in specific regions of interest: By taking specific regions of interest(ROI) of the background, hair, and eyeshadow, I was able to dive deeper into these images without the influence of other colors and see how Warhol uses different contours in each image
Results
Distribution of RGB Coordinates: Each versions of the "Shot Marilyns" shows distinct peaks with minimal overlap, suggesting a composition with dominant, less blended colors. They also have complex overlaps as contrasting patterns were observed in the red and turquoise Marilyns, where significant overlaps in the RGB values indicate the presence of more complex color combinations.
Conditional Entropy: The results shows a variation in color independence. The red Marilyn demonstrates the highest conditional entropy values, this indicates a higher degree of independence among the color channels. In contrast, the orange, blue, and sage-blue Marilyns exhibit lower entropy values, suggesting more interdependence among RGB channels.
Color Distributions in specific ROIs: The study of the background as an ROI showed diverse color schemes with different levels of complexity. The red Marilyn's background, for example, displayed a wide range of red values, indicating a richer color palette. In the hair color ROI composition, despite visual similarities, each of Monroe's hair color composition varied significantly, which different shades and combinations used to complement the respective backgrounds. The eyeshadow regions across the paintings showcased distinct color palettes, aligning with the overall theme and color scheme of each portrait, allowing for a refined visual model.
Conclusion
Andy Warhol's "Shot Marilyns" series reveals the intricate use of color that contributes to the unique aesthetic of each paintings. despite being based on the same photograph, each Marilyn portrait stands out due to Warhol's distinct use of color combinations and distributions, emphasizing the individuality within the series. The varied color compositions, as evidenced by the different peaks and overlaps in the RGB distributions suggests Warhol's mastery in creating emotional depth and complexity through color. The analysis of conditional entropy values highlights the varying degrees of interdependence among the color channels in each painting, with some showcasing greater color independence than others. It was also revealed how Warhol's tailored color scheme of each ROIs to complement and enhance the overall impact of each portrait. His use of color not only reiterates his innovative approach to pop art but also underscores the importance of color theory in understanding and appreciating modern art. In conclusion, this study shows how nuanced and deliberate these colors that Warhol chose to contribute to the ongoing discourse on his artistic legacy and the broader implications of color in art.
