Roy LichtensteinBy: Alexa Vincent

Early Life

Born New York City on October 27, 1923

Attended Ohio State University, but in 1943 his education was interrupted by three years of army service. He later went back and received his masters in fine arts.

Taught at Ohio State until 1951.

After moving to multiple different cities to teach, he eventually gave up on teaching so that he could paint full time.

Early Works

1951- 1957 Lichtenstein's work revolved around American West—cowboys and Native Americans.

Next he began hiding images of comic strip figures (such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Bugs Bunny) in his paintings. By 1961 he had created the images for which he became known for.

Themes of passion, romance, science fiction, violence, and war.

Fun Facts

Art critics severely criticized his work and called him a copycat

First time his work was exhibited it was heavily criticized by art critics and the Life magazine went to the extent of publishing an article whose title asked “Is He the Worst Artist in the U.S.?” Lichtenstein was also called a copycat by many as his works closely resembled the originals. With time, however, he was considered as one of the greatest artists of the Pop Art Movement.

 ‘Whaam!’ is Roy Lichtenstein’s most famous painting

Lichtenstein’s highest selling painting is

‘Woman with Flowered Hat’

More Fun Facts

“Roy was in ‘awe of women”

“Roy got married twice. In 1949 he married Isabel Wilson and after divorcing her in 1965, he married Dorothy Herzka, in 1968. According to his second wife, Roy was in ‘awe of women’. “He had more female friends than male friends and he may have thought that women were smarter than men, in general.” Roy painted a series of studies of nude woman, although, it is not very well known.”