Saturday, September 19, 2026

Roy Lichtenstein: Like New

Whitney Museum of American Art

Opening October 11, 2026

The Whitney Museum of American Art presents Roy Lichtenstein: Like New, opening October 11, 2026. This exhibition brings together over 130 works made from the early 1940s through the 1990s and offers a bold reconsideration of one of the defining artists of the Pop art movement and the twentieth century. Tracing Lichtenstein’s career-long investigation into duplication, perception, simulation, authorship, and image culture, Like New reveals an artist who understood that images are never fixed but instead continually copied, enlarged, circulated, and made new. 

Roy Lichtenstein changed the way we see images. Turning the visual language of mass-culture comics, advertising, consumer goods, and commercial printing into fine art, Lichtenstein produced works that looked cool, crisp, and machine-made but were meticulously handmade. 

Roy Lichtenstein: Like New looks beyond the artist’s iconic surfaces to trace how his early interest in perception and visual recognition shaped a career-long inquiry into the power and stability of images. Across painting, drawing, collage, prints, sculpture, and film, the exhibition presents Lichtenstein’s images as unstable forms that could be borrowed, translated, reframed, and transformed. 

The exhibition features many of Lichtenstein’s most celebrated works, including Look Mickey (1961), Girl with Ball (1961), Masterpiece (1962), Drowning Girl (1963), Happy Tears (1964), Little Big Painting (1965), Rouen Cathedral, Set III (1968–69), and Artist’s Studio “The Dance” (1974). 

Among its highlights, Like New reunites for the first time all eight works from Lichtenstein’s landmark 1962 Pop debut at Leo Castelli Gallery. The exhibition reconstructs the intimate gallery setting, allowing visitors to experience the works together as audiences did at a pivotal moment in American art history. 

The exhibition also includes the recreation of three murals, including a nearly 96-foot-long iteration of Greene Street Mural (1983) and an outdoor presentation of Girl in Window (1964) realized by artist and co-curator Alex Da Corte. 

The impact of Lichtenstein’s work extended far beyond Pop, shaping generations of artists, including Louise Lawler, Richard Pettibone, and Sturtevant, whose work will also be on view to further illustrate Lichtenstein’s relationship to copying, influence, appropriation, and the afterlife of images. 

In an era when pictures are endlessly cropped, filtered, reposted, and recirculated, Lichtenstein’s work feels newly urgent. Like New looks beyond the artist’s iconic surfaces to reveal the power and instability of images and celebrate an artist who understood, long before the digital age, that images change as they move through the world. 

Roy Lichtenstein: Like New is organized by Meg Onli, Nancy and Fred Poses Curator, and Alex Da Corte, Guest Curator, with Nakai Falcón, Curatorial Assistant, and David Crane, Curatorial Research Associate

 IMAGES


A bowl with bananas, apples, grapes, and lemons in a bold, cartoon-like style with striped background.


Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Crystal Bowl, 1972. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 52 × 42 in. (132.1 × 106.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from Frances and Sydney Lewis 77.64. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


A red-haired woman in pop-art style smiles with her arms crossed, framed by a green window.

Roy Lichtenstein, Girl in Window (Study for World's Fair Mural), 1963. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 68 1/8 × 56 in. (173 × 142.2 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of The American Contemporary Art Foundation, Inc., Leonard A. Lauder, President 2002.254. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

Close-up of a pop art woman with yellow hair wiping a tear from her eye.

Roy Lichtenstein, Crying Girl, 1963. Offset lithograph: sheet, 17 3/4 × 23 3/4 in. (45.1 × 60.3 cm); image, 17 1/4 × 23 1/8 in. (43.8 × 58.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Scott Newman 2021.135. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Black-and-white marbled composition notebook with a front label reading "Compositions" and lines for a name.

Roy Lichtenstein, Compositions I, 1964. Oil, magna and pencil on canvas, 8 1/8 × 56 1/4 in. (173 × 142.8 cm). Museum für Moderne Kunst. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026. Photograph by Axel Schneider



A hand cleans between the toes of a foot using a small fluffy cloth.

Roy Lichtenstein, Foot Medication, 1962. Graphite on paper, 22 1/2 × 22 3/8 in. (56.2 × 56.8 cm). The Menil Collection, Bequest of David Whitney. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026. Photograph by Paul Hester



Roy Lichtenstein, Varoom!, 1963. Acrylic and graphite pencil on canvas, 56 × 56 in. (142.2 × 142.2 cm). Powers Art Center, Ryobi Foundation, Carbondale, Colo. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026



Yellow pop-art figure curled up on a striped cushion against a red and dotted background.



Roy Lichtenstein, Turkey, 1961. Oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 26 × 30 in. (66 × 76.2 cm). Roy Lichtenstein Estate. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026






Roy Lichtenstein, Blam, 1962 . Oil on canvas, 68 × 80 in. (172.7 × 203.2 cm) . Yale University Art Gallery. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Bright blue liquid splashes across red dot background above curved yellow and black stripes.

Roy Lichtenstein, Study for Brushstroke with Spatter, 1966. Oil on canvas, 49 7/8 × 61 7/8 × 1 3/4 in. (126.7 × 157.2 × 4.4 cm). Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, Friends of Modern Art Fund, 66.119. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

Abstract cubist portrait of a seated woman in blue and yellow geometric shapes.


Roy Lichtenstein, Femme au chapeau, 1962. Acrylic, oil, and graphite pencil on canvas, 68 × 56 in. (172.7 × 142.2 cm). Private collection. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Large black-and-white oval with dense halftone dots and bold wavy stripes.


Roy Lichtenstein, Mirror # 1, 1969. Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 61 1/4 × 48 1/4 in. (155.6 × 122.6 cm). The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Collection (The Broad). © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026 



Long horizontal pop-art composition with vertical patterned strips, bold colors, and repeating yellow circles.

Roy Lichtenstein, Greene Street Mural (Study), 1983. Collage, fiber-tipped pen, graphite pencil, brush and ink on board, sheet (sight): 9 × 42 1/4 in. (22.9 × 107.3 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation 2019.65. © Roy Lichtenstein Foundation/DACS 2026

Photo of a pop art painting by Roy Lichtenstein, depicting bold brush strokes.


Roy Lichtenstein, Little Big Painting, 1965. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 68 × 80 in. (172.7 × 203.2 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Friends of the Whitney Museum of American Art 66.2. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Heavy yellow and black brushstroke on navy blue dotted background


Roy Lichtenstein, Brushstroke, 1965. Offset lithograph, 25 1/16 x 29 3/4 in. (63.7 x 75.6 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation 2019.98. . © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Large colorful abstract artwork with bold stripes, green shapes, and layered geometric patterns.

Roy Lichtenstein, Two Paintings: Sleeping Muse, 1984. Woodcut, lithograph, screenprint, and collage on paper, 37 7/8 × 48 13/16in. (96.2 × 124 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation 2019.164. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

Circular abstract artwork with bold black shapes, yellow accents, and dotted border hanging on a wall.

Roy Lichtenstein, Mirror #10, 1970. Oil and magna on canvas, 24 in. (61 cm) in diameter. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of UBS. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026 © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY 

A hand presses a cotton ball against a bare toe in a colorful pop-art room.


Roy Lichtenstein, Artist’s Studio “Foot Medication”, 1974. Oil and Magna on canvas, 96 × 128 in. (243.8 × 325.1 cm.). Art Institute of Chicago; Gift of Edlis Neeson Collection. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

A glass jar holds red fish with blue dotted background beside bright yellow lemons.


Roy Lichtenstein, Still Life with Goldfish, 1972. Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 52 × 42 in. (132.1 × 106.7 cm). Kip Kirkpatrick (through Heller Group). © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026



Close-up of a comic-style woman with red hair crying, tears rolling from her eyes.

Roy Lichtenstein, Happy Tears, 1964. Magna on canvas, 38 x 38 in. (96.5 x 96.5 cm). Private Collection. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


A stylized pop-art couple shares a close kiss with bright yellow hair and red lips.


Roy Lichtenstein, The Kiss, 1961. Oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 80 × 68 in. (203.2 × 172.7 cm). Private collection. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Bright pop-art living room with comic panel of Donald Duck fishing and scattered yellow fruit.

Roy Lichtenstein, Artist's Studio "Look Mickey", 1973. Acrylic, sand, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 96 1/8 × 128 1/8 × 1 1/2in. (244.2 × 325.4 cm). Walker Art Center, Gift of Judy and Kenneth Dayton and the T. B. Walker Foundation, 1981. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

A bold graphic cat face with dark markings and a yellow circular background.


Roy Lichtenstein, Laughing Cat, 1961. Oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 31 7/16 in. (79.8 cm) (diameter). Private collection. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


A pop-art room scene shows a window with tied-back curtain, radiator, and folded towels.

Roy Lichtenstein, Two Paintings: Radiator and Folded Sheets, 1983. Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 70 × 64 in. (177.8 × 162.6 cm). The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Collection (The Broad), Los Angeles. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


A stylized living room drawing with sofa, ladder, telephone, bananas on floor, and a comic poster.

Roy Lichtenstein, Artist's Studio "Look Mickey", 1973. Acrylic, sand, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 96 1/8 × 128 1/8 × 1 1/2in. (244.2 × 325.4 cm). Walker Art Center, Gift of Judy and Kenneth Dayton and the T. B. Walker Foundation, 1981. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

Two hands shaking in bold pop-art style above red graphic panels, with exhibition text.


Roy Lichtenstein, Castelli Handshake Poster, 1962. Offset lithograph, 21 7/8 x 17 in. (55.6 x 43.2 cm). Frances Mulhall Achilles Library and Archives, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation SC.2019.41 © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026



Three tall classical columns support a broken temple entablature against a blue dotted background.

Roy Lichtenstein, Temple, 1964. Offset lithograph, 23 3/4 x 17 3/4 in. (60.3 x 45.1 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; The Roy Lichtenstein Study Collection, gift of the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation 2019.95. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026 

A hand pours thick yellow liquid from a rectangular container into a sink with swirling patterns.


Roy Lichtenstein, Washing Machine, 1961. Oil on canvas , 55 3/4 × 68 in. (141.6 × 172.7 cm). Yale University Art Gallery. © The Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Woman in a blue swimsuit holds a red-and-white beach ball above her head against yellow background.

Roy Lichtenstein, Girl with Ball, 1961. Oil on canvas, 60 1/4 x 36 1/4 in. (153 x 91.9 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Philip Johnson. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026 © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY

A woman cries in rough waves with a thought bubble saying she'd rather sink than call Brad for help.

Roy Lichtenstein, Drowning Girl, 1963. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 67 5/8 × 66 3/4 in. (171.6 × 169.5 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Philip Johnson Fund (by exchange) and gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bagley Wright. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026. Digital Image © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY


Bold pop-art still life showing lemons, a vase, and two stylized nude figures interacting.

Roy Lichtenstein, Artist's Studio "The Dance", 1974. Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 98 1/8 × 128 3/4in. (249.2 × 327 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. S. I. Newhouse, Jr. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026 © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY

Woman on phone looks worried while man watches and asks if it’s an engagement ring.

Roy Lichtenstein, The Engagement Ring, 1961. Oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 67 3/4 × 79 1/2 in. (172.1 × 201.9 cm). Collection of Ronnie F. Heyman. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026 

A red-haired pop art woman holds a phone and says, "Ohhh... alright" in a speech bubble.

Roy Lichtenstein, Ohhh... Alright..., 1964. Acrylic, oil, and graphite pencil on canvas, 36 5/8 × 37 1/2 in. (93 × 95.3 cm). Kenneth C. Griffin Collection. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026Five tall rectangular panels in different colors with textured patterns line the bottom of the white page.



Roy Lichtenstein, Rouen Cathedral, Set III, 1968-69. Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas (five panels), Left panel: 62 7/8 × 42 in. (159.7 × 106.7 cm); Left middle panel: 63 × 42 in. (160 × 106.7 cm); Middle panel: 62 15/16 × 42 in. (159.9 × 106.7 cm); Right middle panel: 62 15/16 × 42 in. (159.9 × 106.7 cm); Right panel: 62 15/16 × 42 in. (159.9 × 106.7 cm). The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Collection (The Broad). © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026


Three repeating pop-art panels with bold black curves, yellow shapes, and blue halftone dots.

Roy Lichtenstein, Modern Painting Triptych, 1967. Acrylic, oil, and graphite pencil on canvas (three joined panels), 36 1/8 × 107 7/8 in. (91.8 × 274 cm). Collection Neil G. Bluhm. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

Posted by at