The work of Tom Wesselmann, one of the leading lights of the American Pop Art movement, is receiving a major late-work retrospective in London this month. Wesselmann actually disliked the term Pop when applied to his works – he claimed that Pop materials and objects in his paintings were there on aesthetic merit rather than for consumerist critique, but whether he liked it or not, he is considered a big influence on both his contemporaries and successors. Probably best known for his nudes series, which began in 1961 and numbered 100 by its conclusion, Wesselmann’s style was recognisable by its pared down strokes and bold, primary colours.
Wesselmann also had a great respect for the more painterly European artists who had gone before. Many of his nudes included representations of their work within his, such as Monica Nude with Cezanne and Monica Sitting with Mondrian, and in later life Wesselmann would describe himself as having become an abstract artist in the 1990s. Alan Cristea Gallery on Cork Street, London – also representative of the Wesselmann estate for print sales – is hosting the exhibition Still Life, Nude, Landscape: The Late Prints from 14 November to 21 December.
Monica in Robe with Motherwell, 1994,
Screenprint, Edition of 80,
Paper and Image 101.6 x 148cm,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
Monica Sitting with Mondrian, 1989,
Screenprint, Paper and image 129.3 x 93.9 cm,
Edition of 100,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
Still Life with Lichtenstein and Two Oranges, 1993,
Screenprint, Paper 108.0 x 149.9 cm,
Image 83.8 x 128.3 cm, Edition of 90,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
Bedroom Face with Orange Wallpaper, 1988,
Screenprint, Paper 148.6 x 164.5cm,
Image 118.1 x 134 cm, Edition of 100,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
House and Barn in Distance, 1991,
Screenprint on wove paper by Arches (with watermark),
Paper 76.0 x 102.0 cm, Image 51.5 x 82.0 cm,
Edition of 100,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
Big Blonde with Choker 1992,
Screenprint, Paper and Image 125.7 x 177.8cm,
Edition of 90,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
Still life with Apple, Orange and Radio, 1991,
Silkscreen in colours on Velin arches paper,
Paper 76.5 x 93.5 cm, Image 49.7 x 65.5 cm,
Edition of 100,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
Monica Nude with Cezanne, 1994,
Screenprint, Paper and image, 102.2 x 145.4 cm,
Edition of 90,
Courtesy Alan Cristea Gallery
Tom Wesselmann is at Alan Cristea Gallery,
London W1, from 14 November – 21 December,
www.alancristea.com
