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Roy Lichtenstein — Paper plates, set of thirteen
Roy Lichtenstein

Paper plates, set of thirteen

1969

This exceptional set of thirteen paper plates, created by Roy Lichtenstein in 1969, perfectly encapsulates the artist's groundbreaking approach to artmaking. Each plate features a vibrant screenprint in primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, against a cream background, punctuated by his iconic Ben-Day dots. The dynamic, swirling motif, evocative of a stylized brushstroke or a powerful wave, demonstrates Lichtenstein's ability to imbue everyday objects with profound artistic energy. This choice of a disposable medium, the paper plate, is a deliberate statement, elevating the mundane to the realm of fine art and directly engaging with the consumer culture that defined the Pop Art movement. Produced during a pivotal moment in the late 1960s, a period marked by experimentation and a blurring of art and life, these plates are more than mere decorative items. They represent a sophisticated commentary on mass production and the ephemerality of modern existence, subjects central to Lichtenstein's oeuvre. By applying fine art techniques, specifically screenprinting, to a disposable object, he challenged traditional hierarchies of art and craft, questioning what truly constitutes a valuable art object. The presentation as a set of thirteen further emphasizes the seriality inherent in both commercial production and Lichtenstein's artistic process, offering a cohesive yet individually striking collection. This particular ensemble stands as a compelling testament to Lichtenstein's innovative spirit and his enduring influence on contemporary art.

Medium
Screenprint in colors on paper plate
Location
Wright, Chicago, United States

🔨 Auction Lot

Wright: 20|21 Art: The Chicago Edition (July 2022)

July 14, 2022

Estimate: $2,000 to $3,000

Lot 172

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About this work

Roy Lichtenstein, Paper plates, set of thirteen, 1969

This exceptional set of thirteen paper plates, created by Roy Lichtenstein in 1969, perfectly encapsulates the artist's groundbreaking approach to artmaking. Each plate features a vibrant screenprint in primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, against a cream background, punctuated by his iconic Ben-Day dots. The dynamic, swirling motif, evocative of a stylized brushstroke or a powerful wave, demonstrates Lichtenstein's ability to imbue everyday objects with profound artistic energy. This choice of a disposable medium, the paper plate, is a deliberate statement, elevating the mundane to the realm of fine art and directly engaging with the consumer culture that defined the Pop Art movement. Produced during a pivotal moment in the late 1960s, a period marked by experimentation and a blurring of art and life, these plates are more than mere decorative items. They represent a sophisticated commentary on mass production and the ephemerality of modern existence, subjects central to Lichtenstein's oeuvre. By applying fine art techniques, specifically screenprinting, to a disposable object, he challenged traditional hierarchies of art and craft, questioning what truly constitutes a valuable art object. The presentation as a set of thirteen further emphasizes the seriality inherent in both commercial production and Lichtenstein's artistic process, offering a cohesive yet individually striking collection. This particular ensemble stands as a compelling testament to Lichtenstein's innovative spirit and his enduring influence on contemporary art.

Medium
Screenprint in colors on paper plate
Year
1969
Seen at
Wright, Chicago, United States

Related themes

Consumer Culture, Collectible Set, Serial Work, Male Artist, Primary Colors, Modernist, Mid Century, Conceptual Art, Mass Production, Graphic Design, Abstract Motif, American Artist, Bold Graphics, Screenprint, Pop Art, Abstract Pattern, Everyday Objects, Decorative Art, Works On Paper, Red Blue Yellow, Ephemeral Art

More works by Roy Lichtenstein

Collected by

Sebastián In Situ, Jim Arnone, Brian Stevens, Hamilton Selway Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, Jonathan Wolf, Becky Tompkins, Sebastián Naranjo