Still Life
from the Metropolitan Scene
Medium: Screenprint in colors on aluminum panel
Year: 1968
Sheet: 36×36 inches (91.5 x 91.5 cm)
Edition: 50
Artist’s Proofs: 10 AP
Publisher: Tanglewood Press, Inc.
Printer: Fine Creations, Inc., New York
Literature: Corlett 64
Roy Lichtenstein Catalogue Raisonne: RLCR 1602
Still Life, 1968 (RLCR 1602) | Catalogue entry | Roy Lichtenstein: A Catalogue Raisonné
The Education Department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art approached Rosa Esman about circulating a group of prints as part of their outreach program to high schools around the country. A format was developed whereby a series of aluminum panels was hinged together (like a folding screen). The images were screened onto the panels, which were then folded for shipping and unfolded for installation. The aluminum panels were prepared by Museum Planning, Inc., New York. Contributing artists were Richard Anuszkiewicz, Helen Frankenthaler, Adolph Gottlieb, Nicholas Krushenick, Roy Lichtenstein, and George Segal.
The Metropolitan Scene was published by Tanglewood Press as a result of this project and included the work of five of the above artists (minus Gottlieb). The set included five individual panels, not hinged but framed with plastic stripping. It was housed in a corrugated box for shipping.
In creating this print, the artist was evidently influenced by the art historical significance of still life motifs. Still Life’s composition incorporates traditional floral shapes but puts a distinct pop spin on the centuries-old genre. The print’s calculated and centralised imagery is entirely devoid of the usual ambiance and underlying meaning of its source material. Instead, the artist employs geometric forms, captured through the means of mass-printing. As a result, the work becomes a contrastive portrait of nature versus machinery.
Auction Results
Grogan & Company: 10 May 2025
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 13,750
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (American, 1923-1997)
Still Life, from the Metropolitan Scene (B. 27), 1968
Screenprint in colors on aluminum panel
Incised with signature
Numbered and dated Lichtenstein 1/50 ’68 lower right
Grogan & Company: 2 November 2024
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 23,400
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (American, 1923-1997)
Still Life, from the Metropolitan Scene (B. 27), 1968
Screenprint in colors on aluminum panel
Incised with signature
Numbered and dated Lichtenstein 24/50 ’68 lower right
Christie’s New-York: 14 March 2024
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 16,380
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923-1997)
Still Life, from The Metropolitan Scene, 1968
Screenprint in colors on aluminum panel
With the artist’s incised signature and dated, numbered 19⁄50
Bonhams LA: 3 October 2023
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 16,640
Screenprint in colors on aluminum panel
Incised signature, dated and numbered 36/50
Grogan & Company: 6 May 2023
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 18,200
ROY LICHTENSTEIN (American, 1923-1997)
Still Life, from the Metropolitan Scene (B. 27), 1968
Screenprint in colors on aluminum panel
Incised with signature
Numbered and dated Lichtenstein 19/50 ’68 lower right