Growing up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Lichtenstein was a frequent visitor of the American Museum of Natural History. He showed particular interest in the Hall of Northwest Coast Indians from a young age. It wasn’t before the early 1950s, however, that he decided to expand on this fascination further, through his art. Employing a somewhat abstract, and at times even Cubist style, he revised the tribal myths and symbols he came upon.
Roy Lichtenstein used a particular etching technique for this series, referred to as intaglio. Rather than using wood as its base, the images are carefully engraved into a metallic support. The incisions made were then rubbed with ink and the cuts held the tint, while the excess was being wiped off. The paper was then pressed against the surface using a roller press. Furthermore, aquatint was applied in conjunction with the etching.
1. Head with Feathers and Bread
Head with Feathers and Bread
Medium: Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Year: 1980
Plate: 10 3/8 x 7 3/4 inches (26.4 x 19.7 cm)
Sheet: 24 x 19 5/8 inches (61 x 49.9 cm)
Edition: 32
Artist’s Proofs: 12
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd.
Literature: Corlett 166, Tyler 352
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Auction Results
Sotheby’s New-York: 30 March 2023
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 5,715
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Head with Feathers and Braid, 1980
Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 23/32
2. Figure with Teepee
Figure with Teepee
Medium: Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Year: 1980
Plate: 14 3/8 x 13 inches (36.6 x 32.9 cm)
Sheet: 24 1/4 x 20 7/8 inches (61.7 x 52.9 cm)
Edition: 32
Artist’s Proofs: 12
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd.
Literature: Corlett 167, Tyler 353
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Auction Results
LA Modern: 10 January 2024
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 8,190
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923–1997)
Figure with Teepee, 1980
Soft-ground etching and aquatint in colors on Lana
Signed, dated and numbered to lower edge ‘23/32 rf Lichtenstein 80’
Sotheby’s New-York: 30 March 2023
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 5,080
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Figure with Teepee, 1980
Etching and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 23/32
3. Head with Breads
Head with Breads
Medium: Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Year: 1980
Plate: 10 3/8 x 8 1/4 inches (26.4 x 21 cm)
Sheet: 24 1/4 x 20 inches (61.6 x 51 cm)
Edition: 32
Artist’s Proofs: 12
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd.
Literature: Corlett 168, Tyler 357
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Auction Results
LA Modern: 10 January 2024
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 5,160
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923–1997)
Head with Braids, 1980
Soft-ground etching, aquatint, engraving in colors on mould-made Lana
Signed, dated and numbered to lower edge ‘23/32 rf Lichtenstein ’80’
Sotheby’s New-York: 30 March 2023
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 4,826
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Head with Braids, 1980
Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 23/32
4. Two Figures with Teepee
Two Figures with Teepee
Medium: Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Year: 1980
Plate: 9 7/8 x 8 3/4 inches (24.7 x 22.1 cm)
Sheet: 23 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches (59.7 x 52.5 cm)
Edition: 32
Artist’s Proofs: 12
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd.
Literature: Corlett 169, Tyler 358
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Auction Results
Sotheby’s New-York: 19 April 2023
Estimated: USD 7,000 – 10,000
USD 8,255
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Two Figures with Teepee, 1980
Etching, aquatint and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 22/32
Sotheby’s New-York: 30 March 2023
Estimated: USD 7,000 – 10,000
USD 10,795
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Two Figures with Teepee, 1980
Etching, aquatint and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 23/32
5. Night Scene
Night Scene
Medium: Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Year: 1980
Plate: 7 x 9 1/2 inches (17.9 x 24.1 cm)
Sheet: 20 7/8 x 21 1/4 inches (53 x 54.1 cm)
Edition: 32
Artist’s Proofs: 12
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd.
Literature: Corlett 170, Tyler 359
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Auction Results
Sotheby’s New-York: 19 October 2023
Estimated: USD 6,000 – 9,000
USD 6,350
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Night Scene (Corlett 170), 1980
Etching, aquatint and engraving printed in colors
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 16/32
Sotheby’s New-York: 30 March 2023
Estimated: USD 3,000 – 5,000
USD 8,890
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Night Scene, 1980
Etching, aquatint and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 23/32
6. Dancing Figures
Dancing Figures
Medium: Etching, aquatint, and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Year: 1980
Plate: 11 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches (29.1 x 26.5 cm)
Sheet: 25 x 22 1/4 inches (63.6 x 56.6 cm)
Edition: 32
Artist’s Proofs: 12
Publisher: Tyler Graphics, Ltd.
Literature: Corlett 171, Tyler 356
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Auction Results
Sotheby’s New-York: 19 April 2023
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 10,160
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 – 1997)
Dancing Figures, 1980
Etching, aquatint and engraving printed in colors on mould-made Lana paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 23/32