TOM WESSELMANN Monica Lying On Her Back, Knees Up 1990
TOM WESSELMANN Monica Lying On Her Back, Knees Up 1990
TOM WESSELMANN
MONICA LAYING ON HER BACK, KNEES UP 1990
39.37 X 55.25 INCHES
LITHOGRAPH & LINOCUT
HC EDITION OF 12
G32519
Monica Laying on Her Back, Knees Up: A Portrait of Pop Art Boldness**Tom Wesselmann's "Monica Laying on Her Back, Knees Up" is a striking and dynamic lithograph and linocut from 1990 that epitomizes the artist's signature Pop Art style. In this captivating work, Wesselmann captures the essence of the female form through bold outlines, vibrant colors, and a sense of graphic immediacy. At the center of the composition lies Monica, a recurring subject in Wesselmann's oeuvre. She is reclining on her back, her knees drawn up, creating a relaxed yet sensual pose. Her body is rendered in a simplified, almost cartoonish manner, with exaggerated curves and flattened planes. This stylization reflects Wesselmann's fascination with commercial imagery and his desire to create a universal language of Pop Art forms. What sets "Monica Laying on Her Back, Knees Up" apart is its striking use of color. The background is awash in a vibrant shade of orange, reminiscent of a sunset or a tropical beach. Monica's body is outlined in black, creating a contrast that emphasizes her form and lends a sense of graphic intensity. Her hair is rendered in a fiery red, echoing the energy of the background and adding a touch of feminine allure. The use of linocut, a technique that involves carving images into linoleum blocks, adds a sense of texture and depth to the composition. The rough edges of the linocut lines give the work a raw, unfinished quality, further emphasizing its Pop Art aesthetic.
"Monica Laying on Her Back, Knees Up" is a powerful and seductive portrait that captures the essence of Pop Art's bold, graphic style. Wesselmann's masterful use of color, form, and technique elevates this work beyond mere representation, making it a celebration of the female form and a testament to the artist's enduring legacy.
