Nude on Beach, 1978

Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997) is one of the defining figures of Pop Art, celebrated for his bold appropriation of mass-media imagery and his transformation of comic-strip aesthetics into high art. By the late 1970s, Lichtenstein had moved beyond his most literal comic references, developing a more painterly and self-reflective visual language. His Nude series from this period engages directly with the history of art—particularly the classical reclining nude—while retaining his unmistakable graphic style, flattened forms, and signature Ben-Day dots. These works reveal an artist both honoring and subverting tradition, balancing irony with genuine formal sophistication.

Nude on Beach, 1978 is a refined example of this mature phase. Executed as a lithograph on Arches 88 paper, the composition presents a stylized female figure rendered with crisp contours, controlled color fields, and rhythmic dot patterns that suggest light and texture without naturalistic modeling. Signed and numbered from a limited edition of 38, the work reflects Lichtenstein’s meticulous approach to printmaking and his interest in the dialogue between mechanical reproduction and fine art. Measuring 25 3/4 × 24 1/2 inches (65.4 × 62.2 cm), Nude on Beach stands as a highly collectible work that encapsulates Lichtenstein’s ability to reinterpret a timeless subject through the lens of Pop, merging visual wit with enduring art-historical resonance.