As I Opened Fire (triptych)

Medium: Offset lithograph in colors
Year: 1966
Image: 24 x 19 3/4 inches (61×50 cm) (each)
Sheet: 25 1/8 x 21 inches (64×53 cm) (each)
Edition: 3140, unnumbered and unsigned
Printer: Drukkerij Luii & Co., Amsterdam
Publisher: The Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
Literature: Corlett App. 5

According to Corlett, “This is a reproduction of the painting As I Opened Fire (1964) in the collection of the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. Over the years several sizeable editions have been printed, and the reproductions are still available at the museum. A number of these reproductions have been autographed.”

“As I Opened Fire” is a notable example of Lichtenstein’s work that reflects his fascination with comic book aesthetics and the blending of high and low art. The painting is composed of three panels that depict a dramatic moment during an aircraft battle, utilizing bold colors and onomatopoeic text to convey action and intensity. The left panel features the nose of an airplane with the word “BRAT!” while the center panel illustrates gunfire with “BRATATATATA!”

ROY LICHTENSTEIN
As I Opened Fire…, 1964
Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas in three panels
Each: 68 1/8 x 55 7/8 inches (173×142 cm)
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

Lichtenstein’s work often critiques and reinterprets the emotional content found in comic books, presenting it in a fine art context. In As I Opened Fire… he employs a mechanical style characterized by primary colors, black outlines, and enlarged ‘Benday dots,’ which are typical of mass-produced images. This approach not only emphasizes the narrative but also comments on the nature of art and reproduction in the 1960s. As I Opened Fire… stands as a significant piece within Lichtenstein’s oeuvre, representing the culmination of his exploration of war imagery and comic book narratives. It is often regarded as one of his most ambitious works, merging visual storytelling with a critique of contemporary culture.

Auction Results

Rago: 3 October 2025
Estimated: USD 2,000 – 3,000
USD 1,905

ROY LICHTENSTEIN
As I Opened Fire (triptych), 1966
Offset lithograph in colors
From the edition of 3140 

LA Modern: 3 September 2025
Estimated: USD 2,000 – 3,000
USD 2,244