Roy Lichtenstein: 'Sandwich and Soda', from the suite of ten plates 'Ten Works by Ten Painters' published by the Wadsworth Atheneum, 1964

image printed in maroon and dark blue on transparent mylar. Top part of sheet printed in maroon, lower half in blue. Lower half is image of sandwich, drinking straws in wrapper and glass of soda

382/500

Given by Kasmin Ltd.

Suite originally housed in a cream cloth-covered portfolio box with cream and white paper lining. On front X / + / X in blue and white and in blue on spine ‘TEN WORKS BY TEN PAINTERS THE WADSWORTH ATHENEUM’ Container is unnumbered and housed elsewhere, currently (2011) at the back of '1st Mezz' in the National Art Library. Inside the container still remains four pages (description and transcript below):
Title-page: vertically in black ‘X / + [cut out] / X / [and horizontally through the same +] TEN WORKS [+] TEN PAINTERS / THE WADSWORTH ATHENEUM’
Title-page verso of title-page: ‘Copyright 1964, The Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut 67/500 [edition number in pen] / Designed and Produced by Ives-Sillman, New Haven, Connecticut’
Page 2: in caps a list of names: ‘GEORGE ORTMAN / FRANK STELLA / ELLSWORTH KELLY / ROBERT MOTHERWELL / ANDY WARHOL / STUART DAVIS / ROY LICHTENSTEIN / LARRY POONS / ROBERT INDIANA / AD REINHARDT’
Page 3: ‘This portfolio was commissioned and printed in an attempt to extend / as much of the visual impact as pssible of ten artists to paper and / to make the prints available to collectors who might not otherwise / have such a vivid slice of the artist. / The dry surface of screening seemed to be most apt to translate the / effect of their painting, both the flatness which is the unifying bond / between the ten, and the insistence of paint on the surface of canvas / so like the visible heft of ink on paper here. / Samuel J. Wagstaff, Jr. Curator of Paintings’ [followed by a list of sponsors]
Dims. of container: 65 x 53.5 x 2.5cm.
Condition note: Spillages and staining all over container especially front cover.

The printing was done by Sirocco under supervision of Ives Sillman

Roy Lichtenstein is one of America's favourite Pop artists. His trademark style derives from his appropriation of comic strip imagery and method of production. In the latter, 'dot' patterns, known as 'Benday' dots, used to provide colour and tonal variations in the printing process, often obtrude visibly into the image and it was their patterns which Lichtenstein adopted and transformed. Much loved for his 'cartoon' images of 'boy meets girl' romance, or martial heroes, Lichtenstein extended his repertoire much beyond these types, as here, where he transforms still life, a staple of traditional easel painting, by using the language and technique of advertising and modern American life.

CIRC.129-1969