New York’s Whitney Museum opened “Like New,” the first large-scale Roy Lichtenstein exhibition in the city in more than 30 years, on Thursday. The show positions Lichtenstein as a foundational figure in pop art and the creator of the comic‑book aesthetic that shaped the movement.
The retrospective features over 150 works spanning the artist’s career, including iconic paintings such as “Whaam!” and lesser‑known pieces from his early 1960s period. Curators emphasize Lichtenstein’s role in translating mass‑media imagery into fine art, a practice that influenced generations of artists.
Exhibition Highlights
Visitors can view large‑scale canvases, prints, and sculptures arranged chronologically to illustrate Lichtenstein’s evolving technique. A dedicated gallery showcases his experiments with three‑dimensional forms and his later, more abstract compositions.
Context and Significance
Since Lichtenstein’s death in 1997, major U.S. institutions have presented retrospectives, but New York has lacked a comprehensive survey since the early 1990s. Museum director Jane Smith said the show fills a gap in public understanding of how comic‑strip motifs entered high art.
The exhibition will run through January 13, 2027, with related programming including panel discussions and a catalogue release slated for early 2027.