Basing his survey largely in the ideas of others, Ratcliff discovers little original information. Referring to such credible contacts as Robert Rosenblumes description of Julia Warhola, saying that Warhols portrait of his mother breaks through the artists aestheticism to convincing emotion. Art critic Notion that Pop art has everything to do with nothing, or Warhols own magazine article, Crazy Golden Slippers, are examples of the type of solid sources that the author utilizes in his work. The majority of Ratcliffs ideas originate elsewhere, however Ratcliff chose to use these many sources to support his own theories, drawing from established and accepted concepts to uphold his statements. The prize of Andy Warhol lies in the inclusion of the authors essay about the artist. Together with the effect of the many large prints, which comprise a majority of the body of the book, the essay enables the reader to learn about the artist and reflect on what may have been his intention for select works. .
To fully understand a work of art it is helpful to have some background information about the work and the artist. The author does a fantastic job of presenting this type information about the artist and his work. Warhol was obsessed with the idea of stardom, controversial works pertaining to popular culture and the use of images from every day life or symbols of such. Ratcliff not only describes the work itself, but also tells of the concept behind the art. Cantz The Last Supper is at best a glorified picture show of the artists work. The artist focuses on one series of paintings rather then on the entire portfolio. .
Ratcliffs Andy Warhol fills the gap left by other writers. Ratcliff delivers a complete analysis of Warhols work by explaining the concepts and ideas surrounding the work in an intensive manner. Ratcliffs thoughts on many of the pieces help to define the actual meaning or ideas of the work in a practical fashion.
