Roy Lichtenstein is an American pop artist who focuses on comic-inspired paintings and precise compositions. His works often parody pop culture and reproduce iconic images to create a new meaning. Many of Lichtenstein's earlier works were inspired by these images. Read on to learn more about 10 most famous Roy Lichtenstein pop art!
Masterpiece 1962
The Masterpiece 1962 by Roy Lichtenstein is an iconic pop art painting. The work features speech bubbles and Ben-Day dots, and is part of the artist's debut show at Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles in 1963.
Drowning Girl 1963
Drowning Girl draws inspiration from comic books and depicts a girl drowning in the ocean while her boyfriend clings to her overturned boat. The painting features an unusual cropping technique and a dramatic message.
Crying Girl 1963
“Crying Girl” by Roy Lichtenstein is one of his most famous works. The artist parodied the image-obsessed and melodramatic women of the time with the work. This work has since been reproduced many times and is incredibly popular. It is now available on a variety of items, including coffee mugs, wall art, and printed works.
Look Mickey 1961
Look Mickey 1961 by Roy Lichtenstein is an oil painting on canvas that is often considered to be a bridge between pop art and abstract expressionism. It is notable for its ironic humor and aesthetic irony. The title of the work is a play on the phrase “look Mickey.”
The original source for the painting was an illustration from the 1960 children's book Donald Duck: Lost and Found. The artwork depicts Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse on a yellow dock. Donald has accidentally caught a fish and Mickey Mouse is laughing at him. The painting is a milestone in the career of Roy Lichtenstein, and a precursor to the American Pop art movement.
In The Car 1963
In The Car 1963 was inspired by a comic book series and has achieved record auction prices. It is currently on display at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh. The original 1963 painting of In the Car has an approximate size of 91.4 x 96.5 cm.
The artwork was based on a comic strip by Irv Novick and was published in DC Comics issue 89. Lichtenstein produced preliminary drawings of the original panel, one of which is in the Tate collection. These drawings provide an insight into the painting's process. Lichtenstein created the composition by dividing the original panel into two parts: the main plane, and the explosion.
Hopeless 1963
Roy Lichtenstein's Hopeless 1963 is a seminal painting that exemplifies the artist's signature style. He used motifs and techniques that were popular in 1960s comic strips to create a contemporary work that commentated on the times. The painting was completed within fourteen days.
Happy Tears 1964
Happy Tears 1964 is one of Lichtenstein's most celebrated works. It features a woman weeping as if she's crying tears of relief. The painting was first shown in 1964 and has been in a private collection for nearly 30 years. It was acquired directly from the artist and arranged by the legendary dealer Leo Castelli.
Ohhh… Alright… 1964
The record-setting price for a Lichtenstein painting is currently held by the Ohhh…Alright… 1964 pop art painting. This painting by the late artist commanded a record-breaking price at auction. It is a classic example of pop art that captured the attention of the art world.
This pop art painting from 1964 is a perfect example of the bold comic styling that Lichtenstein favored. The subject matter is humorous, yet serious, and the result is a striking piece of pop art. The painting is part of the dreamgirls series that Lichtenstein created from 1961 through 1965. Through this series of works, Lichtenstein achieved international prominence.
Oh Jeff… I love you too… 1964
Oh, Jeff… I love you too… is a painting by Roy Lichtenstein from 1964. It is an oil painting on canvas. The painting's title is derived from a speech balloon in the picture. In the painting, Jeff tells his lover that he loves her. This is the first time Lichtenstein has used a speech balloon in his paintings. It is one of Lichtenstein's most famous works.
Whaam! 1963
Inspired by war-themed comic books, Roy Lichtenstein's Whaam! 1963 subverts the romantic conception of war. Completed before the US got involved in the Vietnam War, the painting is a cautionary tale about war's consequences. Lichtenstein's work is layered and paradoxical with resonances to the real world.
The work is based on a panel by the comic book artist Irv Novick, which first appeared in DC Comics issue 89, published in February 1962. In preparation for the painting, Lichtenstein produced preliminary drawings of the original panel, which are now part of the Tate's collection. These drawings show his first visualisation of the painting. In his final painting, Lichtenstein divided the original panel into two parts – the main plane and the explosion.
Lichtenstein manipulated the real and unreal world through his work, incorporating elements from comic books into his paintings. In doing so, Lichtenstein translated comic book designs into abstract art, creating a paradoxical fusion of real and abstract. His work reflects the ideas of the pop generation in America. He also influenced the work of the abstract expressionists, who expanded the boundaries of painting and reimagined the medium.
