Roy Lichtenstein

Roy Fox Lichtenstein (October 27, 1923 – September 29, 1997) was a prominent American pop artist who emerged as a leading figure in the movement during the 1960s, alongside Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and James Rosenquist. His work, characterized by precise compositions that parody comic strips and popular advertising, is often described as “disruptive.” Notable pieces include Whaam!, Drowning Girl, and Look Mickey, with Masterpiece selling for $165 million in 2017.

Roy Lichtenstein was born on October 27, 1923, into an upper middle-class German-Jewish family in New York City. His father, Milton Lichtenstein, was a real estate broker, while his mother, Beatrice (née Werner), was a homemaker. Raised on the Upper West Side, Lichtenstein attended public school until the age of 12, after which he enrolled at Dwight School, graduating in 1940. He developed an interest in art and design as a hobby during his schooling. An enthusiastic jazz aficionado, Lichtenstein frequently attended concerts at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and often sketched portraits of the musicians performing. In 1939, his final year of high school, he enrolled in summer classes at the Art Students League of New York, where he studied under the guidance of Reginald Marsh.