Foot and Hand is one of Lichtenstein’s earliest prints, created in 1964, but sets the precedent for the comic book style that acts as a distinctly recurring motif throughout his oeuvre. The print is in an edition size of 300.
The print submerges the viewer in the midst of a dramatic point of action, where the titular booted foto stamps on a hand as it reaches for a gun in a tightly cropped composition, adding to the suspense. Lichtenstein removes any context from his work, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves within their imagination, answering questions about the characters and storylines themselves.
Lichtenstein utilises his iconic comic book-like style within this print. Simple black outlines define the items within the print, from the boot to the hand to the gun, all depicted against a background of red and black Ben-day dots. Despite the 2-dimensional nature of the print, Lichtenstein masterfully plays with light, using white spaces to suggest shine and texture within a mostly tone-less composition.