Blonde Vivienne 1988 - 1989

Tom Wesselmann's 'Blonde Vivienne' presents us with a bold screenprint. The smooth, flat surfaces and sharp outlines are characteristic of this printmaking technique. Screenprinting allowed Wesselmann to create vibrant, uniform colors and to reproduce images with precision, echoing the clean lines and mass-produced aesthetic of Pop Art. The choice of screenprinting speaks volumes about the artist's engagement with the culture of his time. Unlike traditional painting methods, screenprinting is inherently linked to industrial production and commercial art. It democratizes image-making, making art more accessible, but also raising questions about the value of originality and authorship in an era of mass production and consumption. This process creates a depersonalized effect, highlighting the tension between the handmade and the mass-produced, challenging our assumptions about creativity and labor. Considering materials, making, and context allows us to fully appreciate how Wesselmann's work blurs the lines between fine art and the broader visual culture.