Roy Lichtenstein, “Cold Shoulder,” 1963, oil and Magna on canvas
A fervent fight was underway in New York School painting as the 1950s arrived: Who was the greater artist paving the way — Willem de Kooning, post-Cubist master of the graceful fluid line, painting from his wrist, or Jackson Pollock, athletically drippainting from his shoulder to put his whole body into it? Roy Lichtenstein, summoning trademark wit through a deftly chosen comic book image carefully rendered, gave the cold shoulder to the big, macho, abstract gesture. Icily turning his back on it, he had me at hello.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 90036