Roy Lichtenstein

Roy Fox Lichtenstein was an American pop artist known for his boldly coloured work, inspired by comic strips and popular advertisements, in which he parodied aspects of everyday life and behaviour, including the art world itself, using words in speech bubbles to depict conversation and sound effects. During the 1960s he carved a niche as a leading figure in the new art movement, alongside Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and James Rosenquist.

Lichtenstein was born in New York City and studied Fine Arts at Ohio State University – one of several institutions at which he also taught. He also served in the military, seeing active service in World War II.

Early on in his artistic career, American history, folklore and mythology were key themes in his work, which he explored in a variety of styles.

It is thought that he first began experimenting with cartoons after creating a Disney-themed painting for his children. He gradually increased the size of his canvases and cemented his signature, comic book style, which included depicting subjects in primary colours, edged with thick black lines and the use of Benday dots. 

Lichtenstein’s first solo show, held in New York City in 1962, brought him immediate commercial success on a huge scale globally. ‘Drowning Girl’ and ‘Whaam!’ are two of his most iconic works, while ‘Masterpiece’ was reportedly sold for USD165 million in 2017.

He later adopted different approaches in his art, while also experimenting with sculpture. Alongside his painting, Lichtenstein undertook a number of major commissions. Today, his work can be found in the most prestigious museum collections around the world.