Priya Kapoor
In 1986, pop artist Andy Warhol painted a portrait of Barbie, the iconic doll. The painting, titled Barbie, Portrait of BillyBoy*, was one of the last works created by Warhol before his death. It is one of only two existing paintings of Barbie by Warhol and was a gift from the artist to BillyBoy, a jewellery designer and friend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Andy Warhol |
| Year | 1986 |
| Medium | Acrylic and silkscreen ink on canvas |
| Size | 40 x 40 inches |
| Recipient | BillyBoy* |
| Owner | Commissioned by Mattel |
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What You'll Learn
Andy Warhol's 1986 portrait of Barbie
In 1986, Andy Warhol created a portrait of a Barbie doll. The painting, titled 'Barbie, Portrait of BillyBoy*' was a gift from Warhol to the then 23-year-old jewellery designer BillyBoy*.
Warhol and BillyBoy* were close friends, with the latter describing their relationship as "very, very private". BillyBoy* was a highly original creator and artist whose Surreal Couture clothes and Surreal Bijoux jewellery greatly impressed Warhol.
The portrait was inspired by BillyBoy*'s vast collection of Barbie dolls and his "Nouveau Théâtre de la Mode" Barbie, a project that Warhol was "really excited about". The painting features Barbie with thick blond hair and big blue eyes against a light blue background, a colour that Warhol referred to as "BillyBoy* Blue", based on one of BillyBoy*'s jackets.
The portrait is one of only two existing paintings of Barbie by Warhol. The second, with a ruby red background, was commissioned by Mattel in 1986.
The blue version of the portrait sold at auction at Christie's, London, in October 2014 for £722,500 ($1,161,780). Today, a version of Warhol's Barbie painting hangs in Mattel's headquarters in El Segundo, California.
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BillyBoy*, the subject of Warhol's painting
BillyBoy* (born 10 March 1960) is an American artist, socialite, and fashion designer who was a muse of Andy Warhol. BillyBoy* was born in Vienna and was adopted by a Russian couple who moved to New York City when he was four. He began designing and manufacturing costume jewellery under the label Surreal Bijoux in Paris in 1979. BillyBoy* was a collector of Barbie dolls, amassing over 11,000 Barbie dolls and 3,000 Ken dolls. He was the first to highlight Barbie's significance in contemporary culture, and his collection of dolls dressed by famous fashion designers drew thousands of visitors on a tour through France.
BillyBoy* and Andy Warhol met when BillyBoy* was a teenager in New York in the 1970s, and the two became friends and frequent shopping companions. Warhol admired BillyBoy*'s "good eye" and skill in "picking out the good stuff". On one such shopping trip to the 23rd Street Flea Market in Manhattan, Warhol suggested he paint a portrait of BillyBoy*. BillyBoy* replied, "If you want to do my portrait, do Barbie, because Barbie, c'est moi", referencing Gustave Flaubert's famous "Emma Bovary, c'est moi". Warhol took this quite literally and created a portrait of a Barbie doll, which he titled "Portrait of BillyBoy*".
The painting, executed in 1986, is acrylic and silkscreen ink on canvas and measures 40 x 40 inches (101.5 x 101.5 cm). It depicts Barbie with blonde hair and bright blue eyes against a powder blue background, which Warhol dubbed "Billy Boy blue". The painting was a gift from Warhol to BillyBoy* in 1986 and was later sold at Christie's for £722,500 ($1,161,780).
BillyBoy* has said of his relationship with Warhol, "I really had a very, very private relationship with Warhol, and he treated me really well… He respected me". Their friendship and collaboration highlight the intriguing interplay between art, celebrity, and popular culture, with Barbie serving as a symbol of glamour, fun, superficiality, and consumerism in Western culture.
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Barbie as a quintessential icon of American pop culture
Barbie is a quintessential icon of American pop culture. Since her debut in 1959, she has become a cultural zeitgeist, reflecting the trends and styles of the moment. Barbie's influence on popular culture is such that, in 1974, a part of Times Square, New York, was renamed Barbie Boulevard for a week.
Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, designed her to be a doll with adult features, inspired by watching her daughter play with paper dolls in adult social roles. Barbie was intended to show young girls how to be independent and become their own woman. Handler ensured that Barbie's original fashion choices were inspired by Paris fashion shows, epitomising modern style. Barbie's "chief association was with high fashion".
Barbie's recognisability is a key part of her status as an icon. As Martin Kemp says, an iconic image is one that has "achieved wholly exceptional levels of widespread recognisability and has come to carry a rich series of varied associations for very large numbers of people across time and cultures". Barbie evokes varied responses, from admiration to critique, but her image is firmly embedded in popular culture.
Barbie has also been the subject of artwork by pop artist Andy Warhol, who made his name painting American icons. In 1986, Warhol created a portrait of BillyBoy*, a 23-year-old jewellery designer, in the form of a Barbie doll. This was one of only two existing paintings of Barbie by Warhol.
Barbie's impact on popular culture continues to this day. In 2023, a live-action film adaptation was released, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken.
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Barbie's significance in contemporary culture
Barbie, the iconic doll, was first released in 1959. Since then, she has become a significant part of contemporary culture. With her various professions, extensive wardrobe, and presence in popular media, Barbie has transcended her origins as a fashion doll to become a symbol of empowerment, diversity, creativity, and inclusivity for generations worldwide.
Barbie's Professions
Barbie has held various professions throughout her history, including astronaut, doctor, athlete, businesswoman, and president. Through these roles, Barbie has promoted the idea that girls can aspire to be anything they want, challenging stereotypes and inspiring future generations. This versatility has also contributed to her timeless appeal and significance, as children have used Barbie dolls as vehicles for storytelling and creative play, fostering essential skills such as problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and cognitive development.
Fashion Icon
Barbie's extensive wardrobe choices have also played a significant role in her popularity. Barbie's clothing has often reflected contemporary fashion trends, serving as a fashion guide for her fans. Barbie's first chief designer, Charlotte Johnson, drew inspiration from top brands such as Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior. As a result, Barbie has become a fashion icon, with her style evolving over the years to embrace new trends and changing cultural norms.
Media Presence
Barbie has solidified her status as an iconic character through her consistent presence in popular media. She has appeared in numerous movies, TV shows, and video games, connecting with fans of all ages and promoting a sense of nostalgia. The Barbie brand has successfully expanded into various merchandise, fashion lines, and themed play sets, further extending her influence beyond the toy aisle.
Diversity and Inclusivity
In recent years, Barbie has embraced diversity and inclusivity by introducing dolls of various ethnicities, body types, and abilities. By doing so, Mattel has demonstrated a commitment to reflecting the diversity of its audience and challenging traditional beauty standards. These inclusive changes have been praised for their positive impact on children's self-esteem and body image, promoting a message of acceptance and celebrating individuality.
Criticism
However, Barbie has also faced criticism for promoting unattainable beauty and gender norms. With her perfectly proportioned body, blonde hair, blue eyes, and dazzling smile, Barbie has been associated with a perfectionist ideal that some women find restrictive and unrealistic.
In conclusion, Barbie's significance in contemporary culture extends far beyond her status as a popular toy. She has become a cultural icon, reflecting and influencing societal values, norms, and aspirations. Through her various roles and evolving identity, Barbie has inspired and empowered generations, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.
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Barbie as a muse for other artists
Barbie, the iconic doll created by businesswoman Ruth Handler and launched by Mattel in 1959, has become a cultural phenomenon worldwide. Over the years, she has inspired a myriad of creative minds across various disciplines, including painting, photography, sculpture, and installation art.
One of the most famous artists to be inspired by Barbie is Andy Warhol, who created the "Barbie, Portrait of BillyBoy*" in 1986. Warhol, known for his fascination with consumer culture and popular icons, saw Barbie as a quintessential icon of twentieth-century American pop culture. The "Barbie, Portrait of BillyBoy*" is one of only two existing paintings of Barbie by Warhol and was a gift from the artist to the young designer BillyBoy*.
Another artist who has used Barbie as a muse is David Levinthal, who has made a career out of photographing meticulously staged dolls and small toys. His "Untitled from the series Barbie" (1997) taps into themes of pop culture, historical events, racism, and politics, while also commenting on the objectification and commercialization of women's bodies.
Photographer and conceptual artist Cindy Sherman has also used Barbie dolls as models in some of her early works, such as the series "Untitled Dolls" (1975), where she posed Barbie dolls in various settings, challenging societal perceptions of femininity and identity.
Los Angeles-based actress, model, and mixed media artist Beau Dunn has also created a series of artworks featuring Barbie. Her tongue-in-cheek "Plastic" series debuted in 2013 and features close-up shots of the Mattel Barbie doll, critiquing Los Angeles materialism and the idea of "plastic people."
Through their artworks, these artists have explored various themes related to Barbie, including celebrity, glamour, consumerism, popular culture, femininity, and beauty standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Pop artist Andy Warhol.
Yes, it is one of only two existing paintings of Barbie by Andy Warhol.
BillyBoy*, a 23-year-old jewellery designer and friend of Andy Warhol.
BillyBoy* refused to have his portrait painted, so Warhol suggested painting him as Barbie on a shopping trip to the 23rd street flea market in Manhattan. BillyBoy* replied, "If you want to do my portrait, do Barbie, because Barbie, c’est moi".
Andy Warhol gifted the portrait to BillyBoy* in 1986.
