M-Maybe
Print (Lithograph or Screenprint) on paper • Roy Lichtenstein
Style & Movement
Pop Art
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography or screenprint utilizing Ben-Day dots and thick black contours to mimic comic book printing
Creation Period
Original painting 1965; this appears to be a later authorized museum or exhibition edition (late 20th century)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 36 x 36 inches (framed), square format
Subject Description
A blonde woman in a 'comic book' style gazing anxiously into the distance with a thought bubble reading: 'M-MAYBE HE BECAME ILL AND COULDN'T LEAVE THE STUDIO!' The composition uses primary colors and explores themes of romantic anxiety and mechanical reproduction.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; appears stable within frame with no apparent fading or foxing
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $2,500 (assuming authorized decorative/exhibition edition)
Auction Estimate
$400 - $1,200
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a museum shop or contemporary art gallery; resembles editions produced for the Museum Ludwig (Cologne) where the original resides.
Art Historical Significance
One of Lichtenstein's more famous 'romance' works, it critiques the high-art status of painting by elevating low-brow commercial illustration. It represents the height of the Pop Art movement's appropriation of mass-culture iconography.
Notable Features
Features a facsimile signature in the lower left corner and the iconic Ben-Day dot pattern used to simulate shading.
Condition Issues
Slight undulation of paper under glass; frame shows minor edge wear.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of UV-filtering glass to prevent yellowing of the paper and fading of the yellow ink. Maintain in a climate-controlled environment.