Inaugural
Inaugural
Signed Print
Roy Lichtenstein
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51 x 77cm, Edition of 100, Screenprint
Medium: Screenprint
Edition size: 100
Year: 1977
Size: H 51cm x W 77cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
Last Auction: June 2022
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Meaning & Analysis
Inaugural Print of 1977 is Roy Lichtenstein’s contribution to the Inaugural Impressions Portfolio. Published by the Democratic National Committee, the collection marked the occasion of Jimmy Carter’s presidential inauguration.
Inaugural Print is a commission similar to Bicentennial Print and Jobs Not Cheese, as it mirrors the layout of historical propaganda posters. Harnessing the cultural saturation of popular imagery, the work embraces a polished and mass-produced aesthetic. Rendered in vibrant hues offset by crisp blacks and whites, the composition revels in sharply defined outlines.
Lichtenstein allows a select few forms in this print to assume an entirely figural quality, while others remain completely amorphous. On the left, a hand composed of bold lines and dots is raised in a ceremonious salute, about to take the oath of office. The backdrop is populated by the stark white stars of the American flag and a bright yellow sunrise, symbolising the dawn of a new era.
The right side of the print depicts a vast desert with a neoclassical building, and a floating shape with only one cartoon eye. This eerie scene is reminiscent of the dreamscapes of Lichtenstein’s Surrealist prints. Inaugural Print strings together a range of peculiar and familiar shapes to reflect on tradition versus change.
Roy Lichtenstein, born in New York, 1923, is a seminal figure in the Pop Art movement, renowned for his comic book and advertisement-inspired artworks. His transformative journey from classical painter to Pop Art pioneer began with his iconic piece, Look Mickey, marking the fusion of painting with pop culture. Lichtenstein’s works, including Whaam!, Drowning Girl, and Crying Girl, blend parody and satire, challenging the boundaries between popular culture and ‘high art’. With over 5,000 pieces to his name, Lichtenstein’s enduring influence resonates in contemporary art, his works celebrated in prestigious institutions worldwide.