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Happy Birthday, Roy Lichtenstein!

/ Art News - Collections

Roy Lichtenstein (image from artesmagazine.com)
Roy Lichtenstein image from artesmagazinecom

Roy Lichtenstein was born on October 27, 1923. Widely known as one of America’s first great Pop artists, Lichtenstein’s “high-impact, iconic images” were inspired by the pop culture of his time, with many of his images depicting popular advertising and comic strip characters.

His style, along with the style of his contemporary Andy Warhol, marked a clear shift from Abstract Expressionism of the 1940s and ’50s. Rather than the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that had driven the Abstract Expressionist movement, Pop art focused solely on the popular, familiar images of the time. Lichtenstein is famously quoted as saying, “Pop art looks out into the world. It doesn’t look like a painting of something, it looks like the thing itself.”

To celebrate 92 years since Lichtenstein was born, we have shared images of the 4 Lichtenstein works in the Museum’s collection. Do you have a favorite?

"Brushstroke V" (1986) Roy Lichtenstein (United States, 1923-1997). Painted cherry wood. Collection of the Art Fund, Inc. at the Birmingham Museum of Art; Gift of John and Nancy Poynor. AFI. 27.2006.
Brushstroke V 1986 Roy Lichtenstein United States 1923 1997 Painted cherry wood Collection of the Art Fund Inc at the Birmingham Museum of Art Gift of John and Nancy Poynor AFI 272006
"Finger Pointing" (1973) Roy Lichtenstein (United States, 1923-1997). Screenprint. Published by Experiments in Art and Technology, Inc. Printed by Styria Studio, Inc. (United States, New York). Gift of Robert Rauschenberg. 1977.2.15.
Finger Pointing 1973 Roy Lichtenstein United States 1923 1997 Screenprint Published by Experiments in Art and Technology Inc Printed by Styria Studio Inc United States New York Gift of Robert Rauschenberg 1977215
"Still Life with Portrait, from the Six Still Lifes series" (1974) Roy Lichtenstein (United States, 1923-1997). Lithograph and screenprint with debossing on Rives BFK paper. (Co-)Published by Multiples, Inc. (United States) and Castelli Graphics (United States, New York), Printed by Styria Studio, Inc. (United States, New York). Gift of Frederick Weisman Company in memory of Margaret Spencer Ragland. 1987.93.
Still Life with Portrait from the Six Still Lifes series 1974 Roy Lichtenstein United States 1923 1997 Lithograph and screenprint with debossing on Rives BFK paper Co Published by Multiples Inc United States and Castelli Graphics United States New York Printed by Styria Studio Inc United States New York Gift of Frederick Weisman Company in memory of Margaret Spencer Ragland 198793
"Sandwich and Soda" (1964) Roy Lichtenstein (United States, 1923-1997). Screenprint on clear plastic. Published by Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, CT); Printed by Sirocco Screenprints (United States, New Haven); Printed under the supervision of Ives-Sillman, Inc. (New Haven, CT). Museum purchase in memory of Max Heldman. 1997.69.7.
Sandwich and Soda 1964 Roy Lichtenstein United States 1923 1997 Screenprint on clear plastic Published by Wadsworth Atheneum Hartford CT Printed by Sirocco Screenprints United States New Haven Printed under the supervision of Ives Sillman Inc New Haven CT Museum purchase in memory of Max Heldman 1997697

Sources: 
www.theartstory.org/artist-lichtenstein-roy.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Lichtenstein