Roy Lichtenstein Retrospective at the Pompidou in Paris: Magnifico!

In an awe-inspiring retrospective of the works of Roy Lichtenstein, which reveals the creativity, mastery of technique, range, and depth of this truly great artist, the Pompidou Museum in Paris has simply outdone itself.

To grasp the true greatness of an artist, one must view as large a sampling of the artist’s oeuvre as possible and study in detail the events, influences, and forces which molded the artist.  I have been fortunate in my life to attend massive retrospectives of Van Gogh, Picasso, and Chagall, each of which deeply moved me and firmly established an even greater admiration of their works.

This retrospective of Lichtenstein is certainly in that category as well.

So, what is the appeal of this artist? To me, it is the perfection of his every presentation, a flawless technique embodying clarity, crispness, and vibrancy which brings a uniqueness to even the most mundane of subjects. No matter what the venue is for the design and no matter what the design, that the characteristic Lichtenstein approach is evident, and it just grabs you, the view.

My favorite works were the re-inventions and re-interpretations of the masters such as Picasso, Mondrian, and Leger. These Lichtenstein creations in the style of such great artists reveal his creativity, skills, and scope.

Derided by some critics as a vulgarian and mere copyist, Roy Lichtenstein has risen to become a seminal figure in modern art, a recognized master of technique and inventiveness.

For the lover of art, this exhibition is a once in a lifetime experience. My one regret is that I could not revisit the show two or three more times.