Roy Lichtenstein Nude with Yellow Pillow (C.283) 1994 For Sale

Lichtenstein pushes the boundaries of his signature Ben Day dot composition in Nude with Yellow Pillow (1994) portrait, part of his Nude series, with bold lines, bright colours and a re-examination of his comic book girls through the prism of art historical tropes of female nudes. Centring this fresh faced, female figure in the portrait, she is the embodiment of stereotypical ideals; flowing blonde hair, bold red lip, seductive stare and curvilinear female form. Set against a densely layered interior scene of geometric shapes and dot construction, Lichtenstein invites the viewer to both engage in and confront society’s obsession with nude commodification and depictions of domestic bliss.

The interior background is illustrative of Lichtenstein’s later work, and involvement in his signature visual language of graphic patterns, geometric shapes and bold dots. More densely layered than his earlier portraits, the interior scene draws on familiar motifs from his series: Reflections, Imperfect, Water Lillies – the painting in the background refers to his reproduction of Claude Monet’s famed work - with everyday home furnishings and décor fit for consumerist culture of the time. The background scene is rigid and geometric in composition as if to highlight the soft, sensuality of the female form; Lichtenstein is knowingly signalling to the male gaze so embedded within art and history.