“The End” created by Edward Ruscha in 1997 is an iconic piece of Pop Art that falls within the figurative genre and is part of the series also titled “The End.” The artwork exhibits a distinctive style reflective of the Pop Art movement, which often includes imagery from popular culture and mass media.
The artwork features the text “THE END” in bold, capital letters shaded with red and casting a slight shadow on a background that appears to be a distressed or worn film screen or similar material. The background is a grayish tone with white vertical streaks that suggest scratches or wear, which are common in old film reels. These streaks, along with the specks and the rough texture of the backdrop, evoke a sense of nostalgia, as if one is looking at the final frame of a classic movie. The choice of text, font, and presentation, along with the distressed effect, suggests a thematic connection to cinema and the dramatic conclusion of a story. Ruscha’s work often plays with words and typography, engaging with visual culture in a way that is both playful and thought-provoking.
