Drawing for ‘Whaam!’ 1963

Curator: This drawing, a preparatory sketch for Roy Lichtenstein's iconic ‘Whaam!’, offers a fascinating peek into the artist’s process. Editor: It strikes me as raw, almost vulnerable, compared to the finished painting, like catching the artist mid-thought. Curator: It's interesting to see how Lichtenstein translates the visual language of comic books, mass media, and even war propaganda through his unique lens. Editor: Absolutely. The very act of sketching it, this intimate medium, makes me consider the weight and implications of such a violent explosion, distilled into graphic form. Curator: The sketch reveals Lichtenstein's meticulous planning, carefully arranging the composition and lettering for maximum impact. Editor: Knowing what the final painting will be, and seeing this first step makes me wonder if Lichtenstein was questioning the glorification of war, repackaged for the masses. Curator: He undoubtedly prompts us to consider the impact of pop culture and its appropriation of complex realities. Editor: Right, and maybe even to see the beauty, however unsettling, in that visual language itself.