''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!
''Whaam!'' is a 1963 diptych painting by the American artist Roy Lichtenstein. It is one of the best-known works of pop art, and among Lichtenstein's most important paintings. ''Whaam!'' was first exhibited at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New ...
'' and ''
Bratatat!
''Bratatat!'' is a 1963 pop art painting by Roy Lichtenstein in his comic book style of using Ben-Day dots and a text balloon.
Background
Lichtenstein was a trained United States Army pilot, draftsman and artist as well as a World War II v ...
'' are among Lichtenstein's most recognizable onomatopoeic works and was in a sense part of Lichtenstein's response to
action painting
Action painting, sometimes called "gestural abstraction", is a style of painting in which paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather than being carefully applied. The resulting work often emphasizes the physical a ...
.
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 color
A set of primary colors or primary colours (see spelling differences) consists of colorants or colored lights that can be mixed in varying amounts to produce a gamut of colors. This is the essential method used to create the perception of a ...
s 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
Ceramic art is art made from ceramic materials, including clay. It may take forms including artistic pottery, including tableware, tiles, figurines and other sculpture. As one of the plastic arts, ceramic art is one of the visual arts. ...
.
Lichtenstein also created another painting entitled ''Varoom'' (no exclamation point, 1965).
Critical appraisal
''Varoom!'', which spews action and drama, is based on the "visual language of comics", unlike the romance and war comic-based work that focuses more on the narrative than the graphic details as this work does.
See also
*
1963 in art
Events from the year 1963 in art.
Events
* January 8 – Leonardo da Vinci's ''Mona Lisa'' is exhibited in the United States for the first (and only) time, for a period of four weeks, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. During t ...
Sources
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External links
Lichtenstein Foundation website
{{Roy Lichtenstein
1963 paintings
Military art
Paintings by Roy Lichtenstein