ROY LICHTENSTEIN, MODERN HEAD #3, MODERN HEAD SERIES, EMBOSSED LINOCUT ON HANDMADE WATERLEAF PAPER, EDITION OF 100, 1970
Roy Lichtenstein rose to prominence in the 1960s with his humorous cartoon imagery, promptly followed by his appropriations of art historical genres. His Modern Head series of 1970 references modern masters of Cubism, Constructivism and Art Deco among others. In addition to a set of five Modern Head prints, Lichtenstein also created a limited number of Modern Head sculptures.
The Modern Head prints seek to critically dismantle the history of modern art, through a formal idea particularly favoured by Lichtenstein; impure style. Accordingly, Lichtenstein’s Modern Heads are founded on both artistic and architectural sources. The prints allude to painterly gestures and sculptural anatomy, as well as facade ornamentations and sleek interiors.
Lichtenstein's Modern Head #3 is purely black and white. This print is undoubtedly the most constructivist edition of the series, as it exhibits a human profile entirely reduced to mechanical parts. In addition, the work directly references the flat planes, precision and abstract geometric forms associated with 1930s design. Modern Head #3’s curvature owes its smoothness to the embossing and linocut employed by the artist. Incised on a sheet of linoleum, this printing method yields a greater variety of effects and finishes, on account of the flexibility and softness of the material.
Read more about the Modern Head series by Roy Lichtenstein.
ABOUT ROY LICHTENSTEIN
Born in Manhattan in 1923, Roy Lichtenstein was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement during the second half of the 20th century. His distinctive artistic style is inspired by the visual language of consumerism and advertising that pervaded American popular culture at the time, and his work recalls a society of widespread commercialism that has remained powerfully relevant to this day. Learn more about Roy Lichtenstein.
