Perhaps one of the most influential contemporary art movements, Pop art emerged in the 1950s. In stark contrast to traditional artistic practice, its practitioners drew on imagery from popular culture — comic books, advertising, product packaging and other commercial media — to create original Pop art paintings, prints and sculptures that celebrated ordinary life in the most literal way.
ORIGINS OF POP ART
CHARACTERISTICS OF POP ART
POP ARTISTS TO KNOW
ORIGINAL POP ART ON 1STDIBS
The Pop art movement started in the United Kingdom as a reaction, both positive and critical, to the period’s consumerism. Its goal was to put popular culture on the same level as so-called high culture.
Richard Hamilton’s 1956 collage Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? is widely believed to have kickstarted this unconventional new style.
Pop art works are distinguished by their bold imagery, bright colors and seemingly commonplace subject matter. Practitioners sought to challenge the status quo, breaking with the perceived elitism of the previously dominant Abstract Expressionism and making statements about current events. Other key characteristics of Pop art include appropriation of imagery and techniques from popular and commercial culture; use of different media and formats; repetition in imagery and iconography; incorporation of mundane objects from advertisements, cartoons and other popular media; hard edges; and ironic and witty treatment of subject matter.
Although British artists launched the movement, they were soon overshadowed by their American counterparts. Pop art is perhaps most closely identified with American Pop artist Andy Warhol, whose clever appropriation of motifs and images helped to transform the artistic style into a lifestyle. Most of the best-known American artists associated with Pop art started in commercial art (Warhol made whimsical drawings as a hobby during his early years as a commercial illustrator), a background that helped them in merging high and popular culture.
Roy Lichtenstein was another prominent Pop artist that was active in the United States. Much like Warhol, Lichtenstein drew his subjects from print media, particularly comic strips, producing paintings and sculptures characterized by primary colors, bold outlines and halftone dots, elements appropriated from commercial printing. Recontextualizing a lowbrow image by importing it into a fine-art context was a trademark of his style. Neo-Pop artists like Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami further blurred the line between art and popular culture.
Pop art rose to prominence largely through the work of a handful of men creating works that were unemotional and distanced — in other words, stereotypically masculine. However, there were many important female Pop artists, such as Rosalyn Drexler, whose significant contributions to the movement are recognized today. Best known for her work as a playwright and novelist, Drexler also created paintings and collages embodying Pop art themes and stylistic features.
Read more about the history of Pop art and the style’s famous artists, and browse the collection of original Pop art paintings, prints, photography and other works for sale on 1stDibs.
$40,000
Keith Haring - FOR EARL (MY SECOND FAVORITE ART DEALER), signed drawing, Framed
By Keith Haring
Located in New York, NY
Keith Haring Radiant baby drawing done in marker on inside page of historic limited edition monograph Boldly signed, dated '88 and inscribed "FOR EARL (MY SECOND FAVORITE ART DEALER)...
Permanent Marker
Takashi Murakami - Original signed drawing in book w/heart inscribed in Japanese
Located in New York, NY
Takashi Murakami Untitled signed original drawing of Two Flowers with heart doodle, 2021 Original marker drawing done on title page and bound in hardback monograph with purple boards...
Mixed Media, Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset
$1,500
"Love Pen Drawing" Robert Indiana, Pop Art, Letters, Preparatory Drawing
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Love Pen Drawing Signed lower left Artist's marker and ink on paper 6 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private collection, Maine....
Paper, Ink, Permanent Marker
"Love in Central Park" Robert Indiana, Pop Art Drawing, American, Typography
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Love in Central Park, 1971-1972 Signed, titled and dated lower center Pen on ruled paper 10 x 8 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private coll...
Paper, Pen
KAWS - Unique Cloud Drawing, Hand signed and inscribed to Tim, Framed Street Art
By KAWS
Located in New York, NY
KAWS Cloud Drawing done in white marker on colored paper, 2010 Signed, dated and inscribed to Tim in white marker Floated and framed in a museum quality white wood frame with UV plex...
Paper, Permanent Marker
Mary Corita (Sister Corita Kent), I Love You Very, Watercolor on paper, signed
By Mary Corita (Sister Corita) Kent
Located in New York, NY
Sister Mary Corita Kent I Love You Very, ca. 1975 Original watercolor on paper Unique works on paper by Sister Corita Kent, like this charming hand signe...
Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
Robert Rauschenberg -Snowflake Crime XIX ACE Gallery Coll unique signed painting
Located in New York, NY
Historic, institutional quality unique Rauschenberg signed work on paper, with storied provenance: a real gem: Robert Rauschenberg 'Snowflake Crime XIX', from the ACE Gallery Collec...
Fabric, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Handmade Paper, Permanent Marker
Flowers, Pop Art Ink Drawing in Catalog by Jeff Koons
By Jeff Koons
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jeff Koons, American (1954 - ) - Flowers, Year: 2017, Medium: Ink Drawing in Catalog, signed and dated, Size: 10.5 x 13 in. (26.67 x 33.02 cm)
Ink
Turkey Dracula mixed media watercolor, California Pop star Signed AP 6/10 Framed
Located in New York, NY
Billy Al Bengston Turkey Dracula, 1973 Color lithograph with hand coloring and watercolor (unique variant) on Lanaquaralle paper with deckled edges Hand signed and numbered A.P. #6, ...
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Lithograph
$18,000
Donald Baechler - Unique signed drawing, Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit MI
Located in New York, NY
Donald Baechler Untitled (Rose), 2015 Original Graphite drawing on archival bond paper. Framed, with museum provenance Signed and dated in graphite pencil on the front Provenance: Do...
Charcoal, Pencil, Graphite
Honolulu Watercolor, unique signed work on paper by famed LA Pop Artist, Framed
Located in New York, NY
Billy Al Bengston Honolulu Watercolor, 1992 Watercolor on handmade paper with deckled edge in artist's hand made frame with studio label verso Signed, titled and dated in pencil lowe...
Watercolor, Pencil
$7,500
Vibrant Alan Davie Scottish Colorful Surrealist British Pop Art Village Painting
By Alan Davie
Located in Surfside, FL
Alan Davie, Scotland (1920-2014). Gouache painting with watercolor 'Village Myth' Hand signed ('with love') lower left, 1982 Dimensions: with frame 37.5"H x 30.25"W; image, 28"H x 22.5"W. James Alan Davie (1920 – 2014) was a Scottish painter and musician. Davie was born in Grangemouth, Scotland in 1920, the son of Elizabeth (née Turnbull) and James William Davie, an art teacher and painter who exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1925. During this formative period Davie discovered the poetry of Walt Whitman and T.S. Eliot, whose prose is echoed in letters home as well as his own verses. Alan Davie studied at Edinburgh College of Art from 1937 to 1941. An early exhibition of his work came through the Society of Scottish Artists. After the Second World War, Davie played tenor saxophone in the Tommy Sampson Orchestra, which was based in Edinburgh and broadcast and toured in Europe. He also earned a living making jewellery during the postwar period. Davie began teaching basic design in the jewellery department at London’s Central School of Arts and Crafts led by the Scottish artist William Johnstone, where colleagues included artists Nigel Henderson, Eduardo Paolozzi, Richard Hamilton and Patrick Heron. In 1961, Davie’s jewellery was featured in The International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery at London’s Goldsmith’s Hall, a milestone in the history of jewellery making in Britain where an impressive roster of international and British artists including Alexander Calder, Naum Gabo, Victor Pasmore and John McHale...
Paper, Watercolor, Gouache
$10,000
Red Grooms, Ruckus Rodeo, unique acrylic painting, signed, framed w/ provenance
By Red Grooms
Located in New York, NY
Red Grooms Ruckus Rodeo, 1975 Acrylic and felt tip pen on paper Signed and dated in black felt marker Unique work Provenance: Marlborough-Gerson Gallery, with original label verso Fr...
Acrylic, Felt Pen
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Watercolor, Ink
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
Baldur Helgason drawing 2018 (Baldur Helgason dog)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Baldur Helgason drawing 2018: Baldur Helgason Jorgen the Dog Day: A robust, lively Helgason hand-drawing defined by the artist’s signature style. Med...
Paper, Wax Crayon
"Love Stacked" Robert Indiana, Drawing, Pop Art, Preparatory Drawing
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Love Stacked , 2014 Signed lower left, dated lower right Artist's marker on ruled paper 10 x 8 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private colle...
Paper, Permanent Marker
"Saw Tooth" 1964, Pop-Art, Colorful, Mid-Century, Yellow and Purple
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Saw Tooth, 1964 Signed lower left, dated lower right, titled upper left Colored Marker on the reverse of an Al Brundelle poster fragment 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches Robert ...
Paper, Permanent Marker
Lamb Chops Feature (High-Low Foods)
Located in Chicago, IL
This graphite drawing by Chicago-based artist Patrick Fitzgerald is an homage to the charm and artistry of mid-century advertisements and print media. Entitled ""Lamb Chops Feature (...
Paper, Graphite, Mixed Media
Billy Al Bengston - Sweet Filthy Cheat unique signed painting with artist label
Located in New York, NY
Billy Al Bengston Sweet Filthy Cheat, 2004 Watercolor and acrylic on paper Signed, dated and titled on the front Frame included Unique This unique work, with it's charmingly sly tit...
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor
Donald Baechler - Duck, Graphite on paper drawing, Signed, Framed, w/ Provenance
Located in New York, NY
Original graphite drawing on paper drawing Unique Provenance; Donated by the artist to the New York Studio School for Painting & Sculpture fundraiser Signed and dated 2019 verso This...
Graphite
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
Allan D'Arcangelo - Constellation, unique Signed acrylic geometric abstraction
Located in New York, NY
Allan D'Arcangelo Constellation, 1971 Acrylic on paper, mounted to canvas Hand signed and dated 1971 lower front Frame included Measurements: Framed: 23.75 x 23.75 x 1.25 inches Artw...
Canvas, Acrylic, Laid Paper, Permanent Marker
$3,850
Original flower drawing on Rockefeller Center Puppy print, Hand Signed by Koons
By Jeff Koons
Located in New York, NY
Jeff Koons Original flower drawing on Rockefeller Center Puppy poster (Hand Signed), 2000 Drawing done in silver marker on offset lithograph Hand signed by Jeff Koons in marker on t...
Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset
$595
For Kevin: signed Toucan Drawing in hardback monograph: An Art Rich and Strange
By Hunt Slonem
Located in New York, NY
Hunt Slonem For Kevin: signed Toucan Drawing in hardback monograph: An Art Rich and Strange Signed drawing done in ink on the title page of artist's book Ink drawing of a Toucan held...
Paper, Ink, Board, Offset
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
"Preparatory drawing for American Art since 1960" Robert Indiana, Pop Art
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Preparatory drawing for "American Art since 1960", 1970 Signed lower left, dated lower right Colored pencil on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist...
Paper, Color Pencil
$4,500
Unique, original hand Signed, dated Antiquity Drawing held in monograph Pop Art
By Jeff Koons
Located in New York, NY
Jeff Koons Untitled (Antiquity Drawing), 2009 Unique original drawing done in silver marker on the first front end page of Koons iconic monograph "Hulk Elvis". (Hand signed and dated...
Paper, Mixed Media, Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset, Board
Arman -Boom Boom (Guns) mid century print, New York International portfolio S/N
By Arman
Located in New York, NY
Arman Boom Boom (unique variation from New York International Portfolio), 1965 Screenprint with pencil additions. Pencil signed and numbered 12/225 on the front Published by Chiron ...
Screen
"All White Love" Robert Indiana, Pop Art, Sketch, American, Typography
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana All White Love, 2000 Signed lower right, dated lower left Artist's marker on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private collec...
Paper, Permanent Marker
"19 Love" Robert Indiana, Pop Art, Modern Art, Black and White, Marker Sketch
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana 19 Love , circa 1973 Artist's marker on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private collection, Maine. Private Collection, New ...
Paper, Permanent Marker
Rare Original 1967 Minimalist Mod Pop Art Allan D'Arcangelo Unique Ink Drawing
Located in Surfside, FL
Allan D'Arcangelo (American/New York, 1930-1998), 1967 Cloud and Tree Note affixed to back Frame: 16 X 19 Image: 14 X 17 Hand signed in pencil and dated lower right 1967, titled bot...
Paper, Ink
$3,500
"The Big 6 ( Saw Tooth)" Robert Indiana, Pop-Art, Hard Edge, Blue and Green, Red
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana The Big 6 ( Saw Tooth), 1964 Signed lower left, titled upper right, dated lower right Marker on the reverse of an Al Brundelle poster 7 x 6 3/4 inches Robert Indiana...
Paper, Permanent Marker
1960s American Pop Art hyperrealist drawing Lucky Strike
Located in Norwich, GB
A striking pop art drawing, dating from the 1960s, featuring lettering and a packet of Lucky Strike cigarettes. Pop art as art movement emerged in the 1950s and flourished in the 196...
Graphite
"Love Scribbles" Robert Indiana, Pop Art Sketch, Preparatory Drawing
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Love Scribbles, 2014 Signed and dated lower center Artist's marker on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private collection, M...
Paper, Permanent Marker
Banana /// Contemporary Abstract Pop Art Drawing Fruit Food The Rolling Stones
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Kazuhide Yamazaki (Japanese-American, 1951-2023) Title: "Banana" *Titled, signed, and dated by Yamazaki in pencil lower right Year: 1981 Medium: Original Graphite Pencil and ...
Oil Pastel, Pastel, Pencil, Graphite
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$135
Original Fashion Design Illustration Watercolor Painting Laura Ashley Designer
By Roz Jennings
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Original Fashion Design Illustration by Roz Jennings, British watercolor and ink on card, unframed size: 11.75 x 8.25 inches condition: very good A beautifully colorful and characte...
Ink, Watercolor
$3,500
"Preparatory drawing for American Art since 1960" Robert Indiana, Pop Art Sketch
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Preparatory drawing for "American Art since 1960", 1970 Signed lower left, dated lower right Colored pencil on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist...
Paper, Color Pencil
"Love Scrap Paper" Robert Indiana, Preparatory Drawing, Pop Art, Sketch
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Love Scrap Paper, 2014 Signed and dated lower left Artist's marker and ink on paper 6 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private collec...
Paper, Ink, Permanent Marker
"Love Notebook Page" Robert Indiana, Pop Art, Preparatory Drawing, Sketch
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Love Notebook Page, 2014 Signed and dated lower center Artist's marker and graphite on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Priv...
Permanent Marker
Javier Calleja Drawing 1999 (early Javier Calleja)
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Javier Calleja 199 drawing: A rare, early drawing by Javier Calleja featuring classic Calleja character stylings in a tropical setting. Medium: Mixed media on paper. Dimensions: 5....
Paper, Mixed Media
$2,000
"Love Notebook Page 2" Robert Indiana, Pop Art, Preparatory Drawing, American
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Love Notebook Page 2, 2014 Signed lower left, dated lower right Artist's marker and graphite on paper 11 x 8 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, M...
Paper, Permanent Marker, Graphite
$1,000
"Envelope Scribbles" Robert Indiana, Pop Art, Correspondence, Artist Letter
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana Envelope Scribbles , 1975 Dated upper right Ink on paper 4 1/4 x 9 1/2 inches Provenance Gifted by the artist, Vinalhaven, Maine Private collection, Maine. Private Co...
Paper, Ink