Roy Lichtenstein Sweet Dreams, Baby! (C.39) 1965 For Sale

Roy Lichtenstein’s screenprint Sweet Dreams, Baby! was one of his first Pop images. Collating comic-book style action, vibrant colours and his signature Benday dots alongside the explosive ‘Pow!’ culminates to produce an energised print. Part of ‘11 Pop Artists’, a 3-part portfolio commissioned in 1965 that compiled prints by emerging artists of the period, Sweet Dreams, Baby! is from an edition of 200 and signed in pencil. 

The powerful impact of the print is foregrounded by the capitalised ‘POW!’ displayed near the centre, emphasised by its raging red hue. Two partial figures are depicted: one holds a clenched fist gripped tightly, and the other cowers in the corner. The presence of the animated ‘POW!’ beneath the angry arm suggests a punch has just been delivered to the half-concealed head. A neighbouring speech bubble reads ‘Sweet Dreams, Baby!’, which is usually a tender term of endearment, but adds an ironic note here juxtaposed next to the violent farewell punch. Lichtenstein’s playful, paradoxical pairing of a sweet sentiment with aggressive hostility could hint at the contradictory, tempestuous nature of romance oscillating between heartbreak, heartache and anguish to love and devotion, similarly evinced in Lichtenstein’s screenprint Reverie, where the sorrowful songstress laments her lover. 

The faceless figure thrusting their fist also suggests the universality of these widespread woes – if the viewer of the print were to reach his or her arm out, they too could be the owner of the centrally foregrounded fist. Similarly, the translucent shirt that seemingly melts into the background evokes a fading or dissolving of the spurned lover – possibly portraying the inevitable fading or dulling of love’s initial intensity. The bold canary yellow hue also evokes a sickly quality, perhaps indicative of ‘lovesickness’. 

The inclusion of ‘Pow!’ as such a central component of the composition prioritises the presence of onomatopoeia in Lichtenstein’s work, which was central in energising the action. Used in comic books, it also evoked his interest in sound, which was used to capture the musicality of heightened moments. 

Buy Roy Lichtenstein Sweet Dreams, Baby!

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

Sell Sweet Dreams, Baby! by Roy Lichtenstein

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Sweet Dreams, Baby! print. 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 Sweet Dreams, Baby! print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371. Explore our collection of Roy Lichtenstein prints for sale.