While Lichtenstein had previously depicted the female figure as the archetype of caregiver and homemaker, it was between the years of 1963 and 1965 that he began to focus more specifically on the gendered aspects of the female identity.

With this piece, the artist’s cropping the image in such a way that the emotional quality of the subject matter consumes the work.  The figure’s head appears larger than life, and the sense of apprehension and pain is echoed in every aspect of the work; from the biting of her finger to her waving hair, indicating the girl’s frenzied movement.  Through the artist’s presentation of the figure, the crying girl is rendered helpless, for she is offered no means of escape from the viewer’s gaze.  In displaying an image that denies the female figure any quality of dominance or power, Lichtenstein alludes to the social struggles of the 1960’s and the continued fight for female equality.

Created in 1963, this color offset lithograph is hand-signed by Roy Lichtenstein (New York, 1923 – New York, 1997) in pencil in the lower right margin: ‘rf Lichtenstein’. Printed by Colorcraft, New York, and published by Leo Castelli Gallery, New York, this work is from an unnumbered edition.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
This work is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work).

1. Corlett, Lee Mary. The Prints of Roy Lichtenstein A Catalogue Raisonee 1948-1997. Hudson Hills Press: New York, 1994. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. II.1.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding, and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.