Imperfect Diptych (C. 219)
Imperfect Diptych (C. 219)
Signed Print
Roy Lichtenstein
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117 x 232cm, Edition of 45, Planographic print
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Meaning & Analysis
Roy Lichtenstein’s pioneering effort to breathe new life into long-established art historical genres distinguished him as a key figure of American Pop Art. His infamous artistic oeuvre, although seemingly mass-produced at first glance, was executed manually and with laborious precision.
Created between 1978 and 1995, his Perfect/Imperfect series is a sensational example of the varied technical and formal strategies implemented by Lichtenstein. Although they were created concurrently and are thematically identical, the two series manifest the same composition differently. Whereas the shapes in the Perfect prints adapt to the framework, the Imperfect prints pointedly undermine pictorial boundaries.
Imperfect Diptych 46, completed in 1988, is a stunning unison of the two sequences. The print is based on the historical tradition of altarpieces, and therefore depicts the illusion of a paired print on a single panel. Instead of a continuous but divided composition, Lichtenstein composes separate but closely related images. The two sides are joined in a similar fashion through their colour scheme and geometrical shapes. The left image is contained within the limits of its base, while the right side is a distinct Imperfect creation, breaking out of its frame with one sharp stab.
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.
