Haystack (from the Haystack Series)
Print, color lithograph or screenprint on heavy paper • Roy Lichtenstein (Manner of/Style of)
Style & Movement
Pop Art / Minimalism
Medium & Technique
Lithography or Screenprint; characterized by flat color planes, hard-edge definition, and a minimalist aesthetic with thick, dark outlines.
Creation Period
Circa 1990s
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 24 x 36 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
An abstraction of a haystack motif, referencing the classic Impressionist series by Claude Monet. The composition is reduced to two horizontal bands of color (suggesting ground and sky) and a central parabolic shape representing the haystack, bound by bold black outlines.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible reflection indicates it is under glass, but the paper shows significant undulating/buckling (cockling) throughout the upper and middle sections.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $800 (if a known licensed edition/poster); Significantly higher if a signed/numbered original print.
Auction Estimate
$150 - $500
Provenance History
Unknown; appears to be a contemporary edition or high-quality exhibition poster housed in a standard residential frame.
Art Historical Significance
Based on Lichtenstein's 1960s/70s exploration of 'Art about Art,' where he reinterpreted Monet's haystacks through the lens of mechanical reproduction and commercial graphics.
Notable Features
The reduction of a complex natural subject to three colors and a few geometric lines; distinctive thick 'graphic' border typical of late 20th-century pop-minimalism.
Condition Issues
Visible cockling/warping of the paper support, likely due to humidity or improper mounting. Potential light-struck fading to the blue and green tones depending on UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional flattening by a paper conservator. Remounting using acid-free archival materials and UV-protective glazing to prevent further color degradation.