Roy Lichtenstein (1923 – 1997, USA) “Smoking Gun” is a limited edition color screen print reproduction of Lichtenstein’s 1968 work known as “The Gun in America” that was featured on the cover of the June 21, 1968 issue of Time Magazine. This piece is signed and numbered 9/150 in pencil. The image is 16.75 x 23.75 inches. It is unframed.
Lichtenstein created an image called “Pistol” in 1964. It was made of felt fabric and it depicted a pointed gun (against a red background) being aimed ‘in your face’. It was considered a masterpiece and an important work of Pop Art. In 1968, Lichtenstein re-imagined the work for ‘Time’ changing the background to blue and adding wisps of smoke rising from the barrel indicating that the weapon had been fired. The magazine’s story addressed the topic of gun ownership. Timely then as now since the controversial issue of gun control continues to be relevant. {See photos of ‘Pistol’ and the “Time” cover.)
