Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997) Picture and Pitcher, 1977; cast 1978 Painted bronze, 95 x 40 x 24 1/2" Edmund Hayes and Charles Clifton Funds, 1978

Roy Lichtenstein plays a lot of games in his art. The title of this sculpture is almost a tongue-twister. Try saying Picture and Pitcher three times fast!

It's a still life, with a picture hanging on the wall and a pitcher standing on a stool in front of it. We have to imagine the wall. Since the sculpture is flat except for the base, how can you tell that the picture is behind the pitcher? When you look at something through curved glass, it looks strange. Have you ever seen a mirror at a carnival or fair that makes you look tall or short, fat or thin? The pitcher in this sculpture works the same wayÛthe line of yellow frame is broken, and looks like it has moved a little to the right. The striped sky is reflected in the pitcher twice and once on the stool. What do you think is in the pitcher? Does it look safely balanced on the stool? Why or why not?

If this sculpture reminds you of a comic book image, youÌve figured out something about Roy Lichtenstein! When he began his career as an artist he used comics as the beginning ideas for his paintings. How does this sculpture look like a comic?