In the early 1960s, Lichtenstein rose to notoriety for his reinterpretation of mass media, chiefly stills from comic strips, through an entirely new language of pop art; but from 1965–76, the artist switched focus. For that decade, Lichtenstein’s output was almost entirely devoid of the human figure – instead, he looked back at approaches from the history of art – landscapes, still lifes, entablatures, Cubism – through his signature Pop lens. But in the pivotal year of 1977, Lichtenstein came full circle, completing a series of works that combined one of his most iconic motifs, the classic American blonde beauty, with compositional elements of Surrealism. Girl with Beach Ball II, 1977, from this celebrated series showcases the inventive mind of an artist at the creative apex of his extraordinary career. Join Michael Macaulay, Senior International Specialist in New York’s Contemporary Art department, in a survey of Girl with Beach Ball II, which comes to Sotheby’s from the esteemed collection of Mrs. John L. Marion.

Past Auction

American Visionary: The Collection of Mrs. John L. Marion

12 May 2021 | 6:00 PM EDT | New York