New Show, Same Lichtenstein

Jerry Saltz | Vulture | 16th October 2026

Lichtenstein changed art by re-creating images drawn from comic books and advertising. His use of these images was, he explained, “not to reproduce it … I do it in order to recompose it”. His anticipation of industrially produced imagery (think AI) reflected what one writer calls “a singular human perception that rivalled Cézanne’s”. While acknowledging his enormous influence this writer says Lichtenstein feels too familiar – “new relevance does not necessarily produce new revelation”.