Liberté

In between the white Greek columns erected on either side of the frame, Lichtenstein allows the beholderto glimpse a bright yellow sandy vast land. Striped blue and white skies stretch out ahead while a bird soars high above in the distance. Rendered in vibrant hues offset by crisp blacks and whites, the composition revels in sharply defined outlines. Harnessing the cultural saturation of commercial imagery, Liberté embraces a polished and mass-produced aesthetic.

Prehistoric moments of Western civilisation proved early on to be of surprising significance to Lichtenstein’s practice. His Temple Of Apollo is a remarkable example of this interest. He frequently revisited the topic, studying and selecting instantly recognisable natural forms and architectural and artistic structures. The artist’s detail-study titled Entablatures is another masterful representation of the theme. Liberté zeroes in on the most important visual aspects of Lichtenstein’s chosen shapes, emptying these of their original meanings. The print reflects fabricated memories of freedom rooted in the formal magnificence of buildings, the historical endurance of arts and culture, and the vitality of nature.