Artist: Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997). Title: "Masterpiece". Medium: Color silkscreen. Date: Composed 1962. Printed 1993. Dimensions: Overall size: 32 1/8 x 27 5/8 in. (816 x 702 mm). Image size: 23 7/8 x 23 3/4 in. (606 x 603 mm). Lot Note(s): Signed in pencil, lower center. Edition size unspecified, presumed very small. Very light cream smooth wove paper. The full sheet. Fine impression with very heavy ink application. Very good condition; tape remnants verso; a few very small handling marks, none in the image. Literature/catalogue raisonne: Unknown to Doering/Von der Osten. Comment(s): A very rare poster. No auction records located of this particular printing in ‘Gordon’s Art Reference.’ There is one listing in Gordon’s for an example printed in 1982 that sold for $7,279 (€4,932) at PIASA, Paris, 12/4/2007, lot #163. ‘Masterpiece,’ using Lichtenstein's classic Ben-Day dots and a speech balloon, is known for its narrative content that predicted Lichtenstein's fame. It was part of Lichtenstein's first exhibition at Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles from April 1 – April 27, 1963, featuring Drowning Girl, Portrait of Madame Cézanne and other works from 1962 and 1963. Masterpiece was part of the largest ever retrospective of Lichtenstein that visited The Art Institute of Chicago from May 16 to September 3, 2012, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. from October 14, 2012 to January 13, 2013, the Tate Modern in London from February 21 to May 27, 2013 and the The Centre Pompidou from July 3 to November 4, 2013. Several publications presented Masterpiece as part of their announcement of the retrospective. Image copyright © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein. [28895-6-2400]