Roy Lichtenstein

American, 1923-1997

Roy Lichtenstein was a leading figure in American Pop Art, known for transforming imagery from comic strips, advertisements, and mass media into bold, graphic compositions that redefined the boundaries of fine art. Born in New York City, he studied at Ohio State University before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following his deployment, Lichtenstein remained in Paris, where he deepened his study of art and developed an early appreciation for European modernism. 

By the early 1960s, Lichtenstein had established a distinctive visual style rooted in parody and precision. Using Ben-Day dots, flat color fields, and stylized outlines, he elevated familiar, low-cost visuals into objects of critical and cultural reflection. His work helped shape the Pop Art movement and offered a pointed commentary on American consumer culture. 

Lichtenstein’s influence continues across art, design, and media, with works held in major institutions and collections worldwide. His legacy rests in a singular ability to merge high art with everyday image-making—capturing the tone and tempo of postwar America.