Roy Lichtenstein
(1923 - 1997)
Known for his comic-book style imagery bursting with bold colors, Roy Lichtenstein propelled Pop Art to the forefront of the public consciousness in the 1960s. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Lichtenstein not only defined a modern artistic movement, but he also appropriated, parodied, and experimented with existing styles. Before shipping off to France and Belgium to fight in Word War II, he studied art at the Art Students League of New York and began coursework at the Ohio State University. He returned to Columbus, Ohio and completed his MFA while teaching at the university. After achieving minor success as an artist in Cleveland and New York, he accepted a teaching position at Douglass Residential College in New Jersey. There he began clipping and including comic strips into his abstract paintings. It was in 1961 – a pivotal year for the eager artist – that Lichtenstein presented his Benday comic strip paintings to Leo Castelli. Intrigued by Girl with a Ball (1961), Castelli agreed to represent Lichtenstein, beginning a career-spanning partnership. Shortly thereafter, Lichtenstein established a studio in New York and began exhibiting his work internationally, including exhibitions at the Venice Biennale in 1966 and the Guggenheim, New York in 1968. Using his signature Benday dots to create a commercial yet unpretentious style, Lichtenstein depicted landscapes, scenes plucked straight from comic books, food items, and consumer packaging. Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and well into the 90s, he experimented with a variety of forms – ceramic, Plexiglas, serigraphs, and even tapestry – to examine what constitutes artistic style and genre. Cunning and punchy, he presented his own take on contemporary genres in works such as Brushstrokes (1967), Bull Head III (1973), and “Modern Art I” (1996). Immediately iconic, his imagery and style has been replicated and appropriated by a generation of artists.
Literature:
“Chronology.” LichtensteinFoundation.org. Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.
“Roy Lichtenstein.” Collection Online. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.
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- Lot 240
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Thunderbolt
- Betsy Ross Flag and Banner Co., Inc., New York
- 1966
- Felt banner
- #11 of 20
- Retains signed label verso with edition number
- 100.5″ x 46″
- Provenance: Property from a Santa Barbara Collection
- Literature: Waldman, Diane, Roy Lichtenstein, New York: Abrams, 1971, Plate 133.
- May 6, 2012 Auction
- Estimate $80,000 – 120,000
- Realized $87,500
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- Lot 241
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Brushstroke Contest
- Published by Tyler Graphics Ltd., New York
- 1989
- Lithograph on Rives BFK
- Printers proof II, aside from edition of 36
- Signed and dated in pencil lower right; initialed “P.P. II” at lower center
- Catalogue Raisonne, Corlett #235. The image was initially designed for use on a poster for the 24th Olympiad, but it was never realized. The brushstrokes form the Chinese characters for “contest.”
- Image: 47.25″ x 37.75″; Sheet: 48″ x 48″; Frame: 59″ x 49.25″
- Literature: Corlett, Mary Lee, The Prints of Roy Lichtenstein: A Catalogue Raisonne, 1948-1993, 1st edition, New York: Hudson Hills Press, 1994, pg 216, no 235.
- May 6, 2012 Auction
- Estimate $10,000 – 15,000
- Realized $16,250
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- Lot 242
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Dinnerware Objects (5)
- Jackson China/Durable Dish Co.
- 1966
- Glazed ceramic china dinnerware
- From the edition of 800
- Each stamped “Jackson China for Durable Dish Co. by R. Lichtenstein © 1966″
- Dinner plate: 10.125″ diameter; Salad plate: 6.25″ diameter; Bowl: 8.125″ diameter; Cup: 2.5″ x 3.25″ diameter; Saucer: 6″ diameter
- Literature: Mophet, Richard, Roy Lichtenstein, exhibition catalog, London: Tate Gallery, 1969, pg 45, no 76.
- May 6, 2012 Auction
- Estimate $2,800 – 3,500
- Realized $3,125
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- Lot 83
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Bull Head III
- 1973
- Lithograph, screenprint and line-cut on Arjomari paper
- #64 of 100
- Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
- Signed and dated lower right; blindstamp lower right; edition lower left
- Image: 21 x 28.5″; Sheet: 25″ x 33; Frame: 30″ x 38″
- December 11, 2011 Auction
- Estimate $10,000 – 15,000
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- Lot 84
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Composition IV
- 1995
- Screenprint on Rives BFK
- #109 of 120
- Brand X Editions, New York, printer; Roy Lichtenstein and Kennedy for Senate, publishers
- Signed and dated lower right; edition lower center; printer’s blind stamp lower right of sheet (Brand X chop)
- Executed as a benefit to help retire the debt of Senator Ted Kennedy’s 1994 campaign.
- Image: 13″ x 19.25″; Frame: 27″ x 33.25″
- December 2011 Auction
- Estimate $8,000 – 12,000
- Realized $8,125
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- Lot 223
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Shipboard Girl
- 1965
- Offset lithograph in red, blue, yellow, and black
- Unnumbered edition
- Leo Castelli Gallery, New York, Publisher
- Signed lower right
- Image: 26” x 19.25”; Frame: 27.5” x 20.5”
- Literature: Catalogue raisonne #12; Roy Lichtenstein: Drawings and Prints, New York: Waldman, Chelsea House Publishers, 1969, 221
- Collection of Richard Dorso Auction
- Estimate $15,000 – 20,000
- Realized $36,250
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- Lot 224
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Sunrise
- 1965
- Offset lithograph in red, blue and yellow
- Unknown edition size
- Leo Castelli Gallery, New York, publisher
- Signed lower right
- Image: 17.25” x 23.25”; Frame: 18.5” x 24.5”
- Literature: Waldman, Catalogue Raisonne #12; Roy Lichtenstein: Drawings and Prints, New York, Chelsea House Publishers, 1969, #15, pg. 222
- Collection of Richard Dorso Auction
- Estimate $4,000 – 6,000
- Realized $21,250
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- Lot 44
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Explosion (from Portfolio 9)
- Lithograph in red, yellow and blue
- 1967
- Trial Proof; aside from the edition of 100
- Signed lower right
- Published by Irwin Hollander, New York
- Catalogue Raisonne #24
- June 26, 2011 Auction
- $12,000 – 15,000
- Realized: $16,875
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- Lot 8
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Brushstroke
- 1965
- Color silkscreen
- Published by Leo Castelli Gallery
- Signature and edition lower right
- #69 of 280
- Sheet 23” x 29”
- October 17, 2010 Auction
- Estimate $8,000 – 10,000
- Realized $18,375
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- Lot 6
- Roy Lichtenstein
- The Living Room (from Interior Series)
- 1990
- Woodcut, lithograph and screenprint
- Signature, date and edition lower left
- #32 of 60
- 52” x 75”
- October 17, 2010 Auction
- Estimate $30,000 – 50,000
- Realized $36,750
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- Lot 353
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Peace through Chemistry
- 1970
- Color lithograph
- Printed by Gemini G.E.L.
- Signed and dated lower right; edition lower left
- #30 of 100
- Image 24” x 14”
- October 17, 2010 Auction
- Estimate $5,000 – 7,000
- Realized $6,125
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- Lot 7
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Mirror (from Harvey Gantt portfolio)
- 1990
- Color screenprint
- Signature, date and edition lower edge
- #14 of 250
- 10” x 7.5”
- October 17, 2010 Auction
- Estimate $3,000 – 5,000
- Realized $3,369
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- Lot 150
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Bull I – VI (6 works)
- 1989
- Glazed ceramic
- Each with signature, titled, edition and copyright stamps verso
- #50 of 51
- Each 12” x 12”
- Offered in May 23, 2010 Auction
- Estimate $8,000 – 12,000
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- Lot 148
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Brushstrokes
- 1967
- Screenprint on off-white wove paper
- Signature, dated and edition in pencil lower right
- #159 of 300
- Published by Leo Castelli for the Pasadena Art Museum, of which a poster was also published
- Sheet 23” x 31”
- Offered in May 23, 2010 Auction
- Estimate $9,000 – 12,000
- Realized $9,800
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- Lot 288
- Roy Lichtenstein
- “Modern Art I”
- 1996
- Color screenprint
- Signature, dated edition lower right
- #36 of 50
- Printed at Gemini
- Image 43.5” x 31”
- December 2009 Auction
- Estimate $18,000 – 25,000
- Realized $29,400
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- Lot 149
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Still Life with Red Jar
- 1994
- Screenprint in colors
- Signature, date and edition in lower right
- #74 of 250
- Published by Gemini G.E.L.
- Framed 26” x 23”
- Offered in May 23, 2010 Auction
- Estimate $8,000 – 10,000
- Realized $9,187.50