A once-in-a-generation collection of Roy Lichtenstein’s art is heading to auction in May, with Sotheby’s expecting the vibrant selection to pull in more than $35 million (€30.8 million).
The sale will feature 40 pieces from the late pop art pioneer’s personal trove – a treasure chest of paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints, many of which have never been seen publicly.
Many works come directly from the Southampton home Lichtenstein shared with his wife Dorothy, including rare pieces made in the artist’s own studio – a space usually kept private and rarely photographed.
“From drawings to paintings to sculpture, this phenomenal group of works provide a front row seat to Lichtenstein’s incomparable genius,” said David Galperin, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman and Head of Contemporary Art in New York. “The full scope of the offering is a rich and varied selection that will resonate with collectors around the world – there is truly something for everyone.”
The auction will chart the American artist’s evolution from his early abstract expressionist days through his iconic comic-strip canvases of the ’60s, to the more introspective and experimental works of later decades. It includes his 1970s explorations of modernist greats like Picasso and Monet – reimagined with Lichtenstein’s signature dots and bold lines – as well as his witty Reflections series from the ’80s and his luminous interiors and nudes from the ’90s.
“Lichtenstein’s imagery continues to spark conversation as vividly today as it did at the time of its creation,” Galperin added.
A New York native, Lichtenstein was drafted into the US Army during WWII and later taught fine art at Ohio State University. He shot to fame in the 1960s with comic-inspired works like his “damsels in distress” series – bold, bright, and sometimes controversial. A 1964 Life magazine article famously asked, “Is he the worst artist in the US?”
Yet the decades that followed would prove Lichtenstein’s enduring relevance. As his widow Dorothy championed through the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, his work continually challenged, celebrated and cheekily reimagined the history of art.
Sotheby’s will exhibit highlights of the collection in Hong Kong before returning them to New York ahead of the May sales. For fans and collectors, it’s a rare chance to glimpse – and maybe even own – a piece of pop art history.
Find out more about the auction here.