There are many brilliant paintings and collages that have become synonymous with the Pop Art movement. With artists from Great Britain, the US and across the world making modern Pop Art statements through the 50′s, 60′s and on. Here a few of the most famous Pop Art images:
A Bigger Splash (1967) – David Hockney
The original painting of this icon Hockney image measured 242.5cm by 243.9cm. It was painted in California and illustrates a sunny day outside a modern Californian home and it’s swimming pool. The swimming pool features a large splash which appears to have been produced by an unseen figure who has just jumped off the diving board. This image, although the most iconic, was actually extremely similar to two other paintings that Hockney completed – ‘A Little Splash’ (1966) and ‘The Splash’ (1966)’. ‘A Bigger Splash’ was a larger and simpler version of these two images, which proved to be the most popular!
Marilyn Diptych (1962) – Andy Warhol
This silkscreen design was finished a few weeks after the tragic death of Marilyn Monroe in August 1962. It features 50 images of the actress, all based on the duplication of one shot from her ‘Niagra’ (film) promotional photograph. 25 of the images are bright coloured and vibrant, whilst the other 25 images are faded black and white. It is thought that the contrast between the two sections is to represent the life and death of Monroe.
Whaam! – Roy Lichtenstein
Another extremely iconic Pop Art painting, this image was adapted from a comic illustration in the DC Comic ‘All-American Men of War’. The original large scale piece measures 170 x 400 cm! This painting illustrates a fighter plane in flight, having just launch a rocket at an enemy plane. This Magna on Canvas art piece also features a cartoon style annotation “I pressed the fire control… and ahead of me rockets blazed through the sky…” and the exclamation “Whaam!” in large lettering. This work is currently on display at the Tate Modern in London.
Your Personalised Pop Art Picture
OK, it’s unlikely to become the stuff of legends, but your very own personalised pop art canvas will definitely become a legend in your family, and the envy of all of your friends and neighbours.
