Maddox Mayfair and Mumble Forum Hosts Private Viewing of the William John Kennedy Collection in Celebration of PHOTO LONDON

Maddox Mayfair is set to host a rare private viewing of six iconic works from the William John Kennedy collection on June 13, 2026, in celebration of PHOTO LONDON. This exquisite selection encapsulates the essence of Andy Warhol during pivotal stages of his career. The highlight of the evening will be “Andy Warhol Holding the Marilyn Acetate,” the only photographic record that inspired Warhol’s most celebrated Marilyn Monroe prints.

The evening will include a talk by Maeve Doyle, an internationally renowned art critic and Artistic Director of Maddox Gallery. As BBC Radio’s art correspondent and host of ‘A Private View with Maeve Doyle’ on Soho Radio’s Culture channel, Doyle will provide insightful commentary on the significance of the works displayed.

This event is part of the Mumble Forum’s Art Insider Series, which aims to curate intimate experiences that unveil the hidden gems of the arts and culture world. The series invites members to gain a unique glimpse into culturally relevant stories, fostering connections through art, conversation, and innovation.

Cultural Significance

The forthcoming presentation of William John Kennedy’s photograph of Andy Warhol with the Marilyn acetate at the National Portrait Gallery marks a crucial moment in the cultural landscape. This inclusion in the Marilyn: A Portrait exhibition, commemorating the centenary of Marilyn Monroe, signifies significant institutional recognition of Warhol’s impact on contemporary art.

Captured in New York during the early 1960s, Kennedy’s photograph reveals Warhol holding the acetate that would inspire his iconic Marilyn works—images that define the Pop Art era. This photograph serves not only as documentation but as evidence of the creative process behind Warhol’s celebrated works.

The Marilyn acetate is an essential artifact, representing the mechanics behind one of the most recognizable bodies of work in 20th-century art. With its established presence in the permanent archive of The Andy Warhol Museum and its acknowledgment within Christie’s catalogue scholarship, its upcoming inclusion at the National Portrait Gallery highlights a unique convergence of archive, market, and institution.

The historical resonance of this moment is profound. In 1968, works related to Warhol’s Marilyn imagery were showcased alongside Richard Avedon’s work, creating a compelling dialogue surrounding this singular cultural icon. Kennedy’s photograph returns to this narrative as it enters the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition, reviving conversations about Marilyn Monroe’s enduring impact on visual culture.

For The Warhol Kennedy Residence, this presentation represents both a milestone and a continuation, affirming the collection’s relevance while introducing it to new audiences. More than just an exhibition, it aligns the archive with institutional recognition, bridging past and present, image and legacy.

Marilyn: A Portrait will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery from June 4 to September 6, 2026.