Roy Lichtenstein Surrealist Series For Sale

In 1977, Roy Lichtenstein began painting “Surrealist” compositions. Just two years later in 1979, he had produced around 49 “surrealist” paintings, with an additional ten American Indian/Surrealist works. Jack Cowart, Executive Director of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, notes that Lichtenstein mixed the characteristic simplicity of bold, graphic Pop motifs (featuring his signature cartoon-style facial features) with the fantastical flavour of surrealism from the 1920s-1940s. 

Originating in the 1920s, Surrealist art explored subconscious realms, encouraging the unconscious mind to fully release and express itself resulting in illogical dreamscapes. Lichtenstein’s cartoon style and meticulously planned compositions seemed far removed from the dreamlike, absurdist style of Surrealism, but the blending of the two opposing aesthetics interested him. From Cubism to Art Deco, Futurism and Expressionism, Lichtenstein referenced multiple art movements throughout his career, but it was his Surrealist period that garnered the most commercial interest. He looked to Salvador Dali, Max Ernst and Pablo Picasso for Surrealist inspiration, as well as René Magritte, who had a notable impact on this phase of Lichtenstein’s career. 

The Surrealist series, which Lichtenstein created in early 1978 at Gemini G.E.L., included six prints. Since the 1960s, he generally employed photographic and mechanical processes to achieve a more polished Pop aesthetic with a ‘clean, impersonal, mass-produced look’. But for the Surrealist series, he drew directly on to the plates and stones with Spectracolour pencil, sometimes combining tusche to create larger areas of colour. For this sequence of works, the sharpened point of the Spectracolour pencil proved a more effective and robust drawing material against the hard surface of the plate, in place of the regular lithographic pencil. 

One of each print in this series was designated to support Change, Inc., the organization founded by Robert Rauschenberg in 1970 to provide emergency funds to artists in need.

Buy Roy Lichtenstein Surrealist series

Andipa Editions, as part of Andipa, have been at the forefront of the Lichtenstein market for over 20 years. To enquire about buying Surrealist series by Roy Lichtenstein, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.

Surrealist series by Roy Lichtenstein

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Surrealist series. Straight-forward and stress-free, we manage the process on your behalf and help to maximise your return. For a complimentary valuation of your Roy Lichtenstein Surrealist series, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371. Explore our collection of Roy Lichtenstein prints for sale.