Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) USA, 2 Offset Lithos/ A Dyptych, the 1963 painting in the collection of the Tate Gallery. Published by the Tate Gallery and printed in an edition of 3,000 by Lautrec Photo Litho Ltd/ Leeds, (Copy 3M 384) one of several editions from 1967-1988. WHAAM! is the quintessential work of Pop Art, an arresting and instantly recognizable image by one of the major exponents of the genre, taking inspiration from popular and commercial culture and challenging the artistic conventions of the 1960s by elevating the humble disposable comic strip to the status of a serious work of art. Lichtenstein appreciated comic strips for 'their strength, aggressiveness and energy'. For WHAAM!, he adapted an illustration in the 1962 comic book All- American Men of War, which showed an American fighter jet destroying an enemy plane. Lichtenstein's interpretation is simplified with bold primary colours outlined in black and economical use of narrative, with the onomatopoeic lettering WHAAM! placed for maximum impact. The artist also employed his trademark Ben-day dots which are carefully spaced and overlapped to simulate colour variations and create form, emulating the process by which comic books are printed. The original composition was conceived as one panel. However, Lichtenstein decided that the work would have more impact as a diptych, separating the action from its explosive consequence, whilst maintaining a visual connection via the smoke trail. Overall Size: 31 x 36 in. Sight Size: 24 x 28 3/4 in. #2572