“Red Painting (Brushstroke),” created by Roy Lichtenstein in 1965, is a quintessential piece within the Pop Art movement, characterized by its figurative nature. This artwork is part of Lichtenstein’s renowned “Brushstrokes” series.
The artwork showcases a dynamic and vivid interplay of red, with bold brushstrokes that evoke a sense of movement and depth against a dotted background, reminiscent of comic strip techniques which Lichtenstein famously employed. The brushstrokes are thick, visually rich, and arranged in an overlapping manner, invoking a tactile quality, yet executed with the precision and flatness that is emblematic of Pop Art. The background features a Ben-Day dot pattern, which provides a contrast to the vivid reds, further highlighting the intensity of the brushstrokes. The piece reflects Lichtenstein’s exploration of the intersection between fine art and commercial techniques, emphasizing the artificiality inherent in both mediums.