Roy Fox Lichtenstein (October 27, 1923 – September 29, 1997) emerged as a prominent American pop artist. Alongside contemporaries like Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and James Rosenquist, he assumed a central role in the burgeoning art movement of the 1960s.

Lichtenstein’s artistic contributions fundamentally shaped the essence of pop art by means of parody. Drawing inspiration from comic strips, his creations offered meticulous compositions that simultaneously documented and satirized, often laced with a playful undertone.

His art drew from the imagery of popular advertising and the style of comic books. Regarded as “disruptive,” his artworks were characterized by their unique perspective. He characterized pop art as “industrial painting” rather than exclusively “American” painting. Notably, his paintings were showcased at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York City.

Various art collectors and dealers recognized the remarkable appeal of Lichtenstein’s works. In fact, his works were often featured by Leo Castelli in his art gallery for three decades. As with other artworks in the pop art genre, there were often debates in terms of the consumerism, originality and the very thin line that separated entertainment and fine art. Nevertheless, Lichtenstein maintained is excellent reputation as an accomplished artists in his own right.

The pieces “Whaam!,” “Drowning Girl,” and “Look Mickey” stand out as his most influential works. Among them, his highest-priced creation is “Masterpiece,” which fetched a staggering $165 million in a January 2017 sale.