Pop under the hammer: little-seen Lichtenstein works hit Sotheby's

Lot 10 Roy Lichtenstein, Seductive Girl (Study), 1996, est. £500,000-700,000 - (Press handout)

One of the leading names in Pop Art, and indeed one of the 20th Century’s very best artists, is Roy Lichtenstein. His groundbreaking ‘comic’ works like Whaam! changed what art could be, and explored a very American sense of mass market consumerism with pulpy satires about war and sex.

What is rarely discussed is the influence of Europe on his work. But in an upcoming auction at Sotheby’s in London on June 24th and 25th (following on from one in New York last month where the works all sold for a combined $54m), the works are very much reflective of his European experience. He was stationed in London during World War 2, and would sketch trees in Hampstead Heath, as well as visit the capital’s galleries. He spent important time in Paris too, and even attempted to visit his hero Picasso’s studio but chickened out at the last minute.