Varoom!
{{Short description|Painting by Roy Lichtenstein}}
{{other uses|Varoom (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox Painting
| image_file = Varoom!-Lichtenstein.jpg
| backcolor =
| painting_alignment =
| image_size = 250px
| title = Varoom!
| artist = Roy Lichtenstein
| year = 1963
| movement = Pop art
| height_metric = 142.2
| width_metric = 142.2
| height_imperial = 56
| width_imperial = 56
| city =
| museum = The John and Kimiko Powers Collection
}}
Varoom! is a 1963 pop art painting by Roy Lichtenstein that depicts an explosion and the onomatopoeic sound that gives it its name.
Background
In the early- and mid-1960s Lichtenstein produced several of his most notable works, many with themes of war or romance, but others with themes of explosions or brushstrokes. Several of Lichtenstein's large-scale depictions of explosions, such as Varoom! are iconic.
Varoom! along with Whaam! and Bratatat! are among Lichtenstein's most recognizable onomatopoeic works and was in a sense part of Lichtenstein's response to action painting.
Lichtenstein's list of aeronautically themed works is extensive. Varoom! is an explosion that is regarded as part of that theme. Varoom!, which depicts an instantaneous explosion, is composed of the primary colors presented over a light dotted background. Black and white specs add crackle to the composition. The block-lettered text, "VAROOM!", stands out, giving a title to the shattering event.
In 1964, this painting served as the basis for the beginning of Lichtenstein's sculptural efforts, when he produced an enameled steel work that extended his theme of flatness. In 1965, he extended this theme to ceramic art.
Lichtenstein also created another painting entitled Varoom (no exclamation point, 1965).
Critical appraisal
See also
Sources
{{cite web
| url = http://artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=55524#.Ucdg1FV7P2E
| title = Art Institute opens the most comprehensive exhibition ever devoted to Roy Lichtenstein
| access-date = June 23, 2013
| date = May 22, 2012
| work = ArtDaily
}}
{{cite web
| url = http://www.mrporter.com/journal/journal_issue101/6#1
| title = The Report: Mr Roy Lichtenstein
| access-date = June 23, 2013
| date = February 12, 2013
| publisher = MrPorter.com
}}
{{cite book
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ISeibypYDEcC&q=bratatat+lichtenstein&pg=PA275
| title = The Airplane in American Culture
| access-date = June 21, 2013
| year = 2003
| publisher = University of Michigan Press
| page = 275
| isbn = 0472068334
| editor = Pisano, Dominick A.
}}
{{cite web
| url = http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/lichtenstein-wall-explosion-ii-t03083
| title = Wall Explosion II 1965
| access-date = June 23, 2013
| publisher = Tate Modern
}}
{{cite book
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5ggm4z5PQgsC&q=%22Varoom%21%22+lichtenstein&pg=PA73
| title = Pop Impressions Europe/USA: Prints and Multiples from The Museum of Modern Art
| access-date = June 23, 2013
| year = 2002
| publisher = Museum of Modern Art
| isbn = 0870700774
| page = 73
| author = Weitman, Wendy|display-authors=etal}}
{{cite web
| url = http://image-duplicator.com/main.php?work_id=1046&year=1965&decade=60
| title = Varoom
| access-date = June 23, 2013
| publisher = LichtensteinFoundation.org
}}
{{cite web
| url = http://blog.artic.edu/blog/2012/07/27/lichtenstein-of-the-week-11/
| title = Lichtenstein of the Week
| access-date = June 23, 2013
| date = July 27, 2012
| publisher = Art Institute of Chicago
| author = Carl K.
}}
External links
- [http://image-duplicator.com/main.php?work_id=0122&year=1963&decade=60 Lichtenstein Foundation website]
{{Roy Lichtenstein}}