Signed Roy Lichtenstein Serigraph T-Shirt "Best Buddies Study," JSA

Item Details

Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923 -1997)
Best Buddies (Study), late 20th century
Serigraph on cotton t-shirt
Signed to the lower right
Includes JSA Certificate of Authentication (ZZ02862)

Roy Lichtenstein developed his signature Pop art style by merging high-art formalism with material culture. Although he had studied art from an early age, it was not until his late thirties that he began experimenting with cartoon images from comic books, advertisements, and other popular imagery. These works varied from abstract to figurative as he continued to develop his own visual vocabulary, for which he quickly became famous. Several key elements make a work by Lichtenstein instantly recognizable: blown up images taken either directly from or inspired by comic strips or newspaper ads; the use of primary colors; and ben-day dots, creating uniform color areas organized by definitive black outlines. It was important to Lichtenstein that the viewer not see evidence of gesture or the artist’s hand in his artistic process, although the seemingly mechanical style and lowbrow subject matter led some to dismiss his work; in 1964, Life published an article entitled “Is He the Worst Artist in the U.S.?” Over time, it became easier to recognize that Lichtenstein’s imagery is both ironic and witty, and that his compositions were masterfully orchestrated.

Condition

- bleeding to the signature; residues to glazing and frame; chips, abrasions, and finish loss to frame; tearing to paper backing.

Dimensions

- measures frame; t-shirt measures 19" flat at shoulder and 21.25" flat at chest

• Item not examined outside of mounting.

Item #

ITMGO53684