Artist: Roy Lichtenstein
Title: Foot and Hand
Medium: Offset Lithograph in Colors on Wove Paper
Image Size: 16.5" x 20.75"
Sheet Size: 17" x 21.25"
Edition: 79/300, Published by Leo Castelli Gallery, New York
Inscription: Signed, Numbered, and Dated on Upper Front
Year: 1964
Documentation: Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
"Foot and Hand" by Roy Lichtenstein is a 1964 woodcut with hand coloring on wove paper that exemplifies the artist's engagement with bold graphic forms and a refined use of color. The image measures 16.5 by 20.75 inches, with the full sheet measuring 17 by 21.25 inches. This work is part of a limited edition of 300 prints and is number 79 in the series. It was published by the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York, a prominent venue known for supporting leading contemporary artists.
The composition features stylized representations of a foot and a hand rendered in Lichtenstein's characteristic graphic style, emphasizing clean lines, strong contours, and a simplified approach to form. The use of hand coloring adds subtle variation and depth to the printed image, demonstrating a balance between mechanical reproduction and the artist's direct intervention.
Produced during a pivotal moment in Lichtenstein's career, "Foot and Hand" reflects his ongoing exploration of everyday imagery and his interest in bridging the gap between fine art and popular visual culture. The work illustrates his technical mastery of printmaking processes and his ability to distill forms into bold, iconic images that invite closer consideration of shape, line, and color.
As an editioned print from 1964, "Foot and Hand" holds significance both as a collectible example of Lichtenstein's graphic work and as part of the larger Pop Art movement that challenged traditional boundaries in art during the mid-20th century.
This print is signed, numbered, and dated by the artist in the upper front margin, affirming its authenticity and place within Lichtenstein's broader body of work. The piece comes accompanied by a gallery certificate of authenticity. It is documented in official catalogs Bianchini 2 and Corlett II.
Note: The piece is currently unframed, the pictures of it framed are representative mockups to show what it will look like when framed.
About Roy Lichtenstein
Roy Lichtenstein stands as one of the most influential and recognizable figures in the Pop Art movement, renowned for his bold, graphic style that transformed comic book imagery and commercial art into high art. His innovative use of Ben-Day dots, vibrant colors, and parodic appropriation of popular culture challenged traditional notions of fine art and blurred the boundaries between “high" and “low" culture.
Early Life and Education
Roy Fox Lichtenstein was born on October 27, 1923, in New York City. From an early age, he showed an interest in art, supported by his parents who encouraged his creativity. He attended the Ohio State University, where he studied art education and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1949. His education was briefly interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he worked in a medical training unit producing visual aids.
During his studies, Lichtenstein was influenced by Abstract Expressionism, a dominant style in the 1940s and '50s. However, he eventually found the spontaneous, emotional style of Abstract Expressionism limiting and sought a new artistic language that could engage with contemporary American culture in a more direct way.
Rise of Pop Art and Artistic Style
In the early 1960s, Lichtenstein emerged as a key figure in the Pop Art movement, alongside artists such as Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, and James Rosenquist. Pop Art celebrated consumerism, mass media, and popular culture, often using irony and satire.
Lichtenstein's signature style drew heavily from comic strips and advertisements. He famously recreated the aesthetic of printed comics by employing Ben-Day dots — a printing technique using small, colored dots to create shading and secondary colors — which he meticulously painted by hand on large canvases. This technique gave his works a mechanical, mass-produced appearance, deliberately questioning ideas about originality and craftsmanship.
His subjects ranged from romantic melodramas and action-packed war scenes to everyday objects like toothpaste tubes and brushstrokes. Iconic works like Whaam! (1963), Drowning Girl (1963), and Oh, Jeff... I Love You, Too... But... (1964) encapsulate his exploration of melodrama, heroism, and commercial imagery, often rendered with striking clarity and emotional ambiguity.
Themes and Impact
Lichtenstein's work is known for its interplay of irony and sincerity. By taking banal, mass-produced images and recontextualizing them in the gallery space, he forced viewers to reconsider the aesthetics and cultural significance of popular media. His paintings simultaneously critique and celebrate American consumerism and the power of mass communication.
His approach also raised questions about artistic authorship and the distinction between “high" and “low" art. By elevating comic book panels to monumental scale, he challenged prevailing hierarchies within the art world and expanded the possibilities of what could be considered fine art.
Beyond comics, Lichtenstein experimented with various styles, including Abstract Expressionism parody and reinterpretations of famous artworks by artists like Picasso and Mondrian, always filtered through his unique Pop Art lens.
Later Career and Legacy
Throughout the 1970s and '80s, Lichtenstein continued to evolve, working with sculpture and exploring new subject matter, such as landscapes, still-life's, and brushstroke paintings. He created large-scale public commissions and maintained his relevance by consistently engaging with contemporary visual culture.
Lichtenstein's influence on contemporary art remains profound. His bold visual language reshaped perceptions of popular imagery and inspired generations of artists to explore the intersections of media, culture, and art. His work is held in major museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Roy Lichtenstein passed away on September 29, 1997, but his pioneering spirit continues to resonate. He fundamentally changed the trajectory of 20th-century art by demonstrating that the visual language of popular culture could be a powerful vehicle for artistic expression and critical commentary.
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