Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997) was a leading figure of Pop Art, known for turning everyday images from comic books and advertising into bold, carefully painted works. Born in New York, he studied at Ohio State University, served during the Second World War, then returned to complete his degree and later taught art, including a period at Rutgers University.
His breakthrough came in the early 1960s with paintings such as Look Mickey, Whaam! and Drowning Girl. Using hand-painted Ben-Day dots, flat areas of colour and crisp outlines, he recreated the feel of commercial printing on a monumental scale. Speech bubbles and dramatic captions added to the sense that he was lifting moments straight from popular culture while questioning how images are made and consumed.
Lichtenstein soon widened his focus. He reinterpreted motifs from art history; think Monet’s haystacks, classical nudes and still lifes, through his distinctive graphic language. He also explored interiors, mirrors, brushstrokes and large public sculptures, all maintaining the tension between mechanical appearance and painterly control.