Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004)
Claire sitting with robe half off (Vivienne). 1993
Silkscreen in colors. 154,3 x 121,4 cm.

Next to Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann counts among the most distinguished representatives of Pop Art. He is the American pop artist whose choice of motifs shows the strongest ties to the European tradition. By exaggerating what can be regarded as trivial, he has introduced a new kind of iconography to art. His style is straight forward, however, at the same time abstracting and clichéd, so that it almost becomes a cliché itself.

While Warhol tries to take some of the American Dream’s demanding presence by means of altering the images‘ colors and forms, Wesselmann sets a different course. He takes the image to the level of a fetish, which, in return, is a substitute for a new reality. In the end, this is the reason why his art is so popular.

Besides still lives, the exhibition has its focus on female nudes. Wesselmann‘s depictions often address the observer’s pleasure principle. By connecting forms and colors, he takes the audience to a special sensual indulgence. Erotic is a special means for the artist to breach the observer’s demureness, as his paintings simply do not leave any room for callousness. Regardless of the position one holds on his subjects, his depictions of Claire, Judy, Monica or Rosemary always trigger some reaction within the observer.

Provenance of the works on display, which may be purchased, is the New York collection Paul Rothman.