An exhibition displaying over 200 artworks by American artist Andy Warhol opened at the New Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia, on Friday.

Warhol is one of the most complex art world personalities of the entire post-war period. Bold and eclectic, he has been a symbol of popular culture and the "American Dream" from the start.

Titled "I, Andy Warhol," the exhibition presents the many facets of Warhol by showcasing different periods of his career. It aims to demonstrate the versatility of the artist and his tremendous influence on the culture of the second half of the 20th century.

"Here we have the most significant works by Andy Warhol, which give us an opportunity to talk about his whole biography to look at all his ups and downs, his formation both as an artist and as a cinema master," exhibition guide Ekaterina Shiltsyna said.

Apart from the iconic portraits of Marilyn Monroe, the exhibition also presents Vladimir Lenin's portrait, one of the nine portraits created by Warhol based on the photograph of the leader of the Russian Revolution.

"The portrait of Lenin by Warhol was in the collection of Boris Berezovsky and it was sold in the 2000s for 166 million U.S. dollars," Shiltsyna said.

A separate room is devoted to the artist's collaboration with labels and music groups, such as Diana Ross, The Rolling Stones and The Velvet Underground. There's even a recreation of Warhol's infamous studio, "The Factory," a popular place for New York's coolest residents to visit at the time.

Despite Warhol's links with celebrities, exhibition organizer Aleksandr Nachkebia believes he made art accessible to the ordinary people.

"The fact that we are here at an exhibition of a contemporary artist and that there are many people around, it is all because of Andy Warhol. Before Andy Warhol, art was a kind of marginal thing, perhaps this is not the right word, but it was for the elite," said Nachkebia.

The total area of ​​the exhibition covers more than 2,500 square meters. It will run until January 10, 2021.