Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997)
CRAK! (Leo Castelli- c.1963)
Original color offset lithograph poster
Overall size: 22.1″ x 28.5″ (53.5cm x 72.4cm)
Image Size: 18.5″ x 27.1″ (47cm x 68.7cm)
Signed in pencil, lower right. Edition unknown, presumed small. Medium weight smooth white wove paper, with full margins. Fine impression with fresh color. Literature/catalogue raisonne Corlett II.2.c; Doering/Von der Osten 5; Bianchini (1971), cat. No. 5; Zerner (1975(, cat. No. 7
PRICE: on request
Roy Lichtenstein’s CRAK! epitomizes his groundbreaking exploration of Pop Art during the early 1960s, a period in which he redefined modern visual culture by appropriating comic book aesthetics. Created around 1963 as a promotional lithograph for his celebrated exhibition at Leo Castelli Gallery, CRAK! is a dynamic embodiment of Lichtenstein’s stylistic hallmarks: bold primary colors, Ben-Day dots, and dramatic, action-filled compositions.
The work, with its vibrant onomatopoeic explosion, directly references the melodramatic language and graphic style of mid-20th-century comic books. Lichtenstein once stated:
“I want my work to look as though it had been programmed. I want to hide the record of my hand.”
This statement aligns with the mechanized, mass-produced appearance of CRAK!, a reflection of both his interest in commercial art and his commentary on the detachment of traditional fine art from the everyday.
The offset lithograph medium allowed Lichtenstein to achieve precise color registration and the characteristic dot patterns that mimic comic book printing techniques. The work’s origin as an exhibition poster underscores the interplay between fine art and popular culture—a central theme in Lichtenstein’s oeuvre.
Market and Collector Significance
Works like CRAK! are highly prized in the art market due to their historical importance and rarity. Signed offset lithographs from this period—especially those tied to Lichtenstein’s pivotal exhibitions—are considered critical pieces for collectors of modern and Pop Art. While the edition size of CRAK! remains unknown, its presumed scarcity enhances its desirability.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this print is a testament to Lichtenstein’s enduring influence in contemporary art. His reinterpretation of popular media as high art continues to resonate in today’s cultural landscape, ensuring that pieces like CRAK! remain iconic and valuable cornerstones of his legacy.
