Sunrise
Print on paper • Roy Lichtenstein
Style & Movement
Pop Art
Medium & Technique
Color offset lithograph utilizing Ben-Day dots and flat areas of bold primary color
Creation Period
1965
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18.25 x 24.25 inches (image size); Landscape format
Subject Description
A stylized landscape depicting a rising sun with radiating yellow beams and a solid red core appearing over white clouds. The bottom foreground features undulating purplish-pink rolling hills or water. The composition is defined by thick black outlines and mechanical dot patterns typical of comic book aesthetics.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (visible slight rippling of the paper within the frame)
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$12,000 - $18,000 USD
Provenance History
Published by Leo Castelli Gallery, New York. Likely acquired via a secondary market art dealer or private collection.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal work in Lichtenstein's landscape series where he applied comic book conventions to traditional art genres. It represents the height of the Pop Art movement and its interrogation of mechanical reproduction versus fine art.
Notable Features
Features the artist's signature use of Ben-Day dots to create tone; part of a significant series that moved away from figurative comic panels toward abstract landscape motifs.
Condition Issues
Visible paper undulation/waviness which may suggest humidity exposure or improper mounting; potential slight mat burn at edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional reframing using archival, acid-free materials and UV-protective glazing to prevent further pigment fading and paper distortion.