Nurse (Lichtenstein)

Roy Lichtenstein, Nurse, 1964. Oil and magna on canvas. Signed and dated ‘rf Lichtenstein '64’ (on the reverse). 48 x 48 in. (121.9 x 121.9 cm.) © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

Nurse is a painting by American pop art painter Roy Lichtenstein made in 1964.

Nurse is the 29th most expensive painting ever sold, and it was purchased in November 9, 2015 by an anonymous buyer for $95,365,000 and it has the record price for piece by American pop art painter. It had previously sold at auction in 1995 for $1.7m.

Analysis

Nurse, is a quintessential Lichtenstein heroine. His signature Ben-Day dots, her strong features and flawless skin mark her out as a striking woman. Her imposing uniform, the striped fabric of her dress, the stiff white collar and her starched white hat, clearly indicate that she is a member of the nursing profession. Yet her piercing blue eyes, bottle blond hair, and luscious red lips also lend the work a frisson of latent sexuality — less heavenly angel and more femme fatale.

Lichtenstein’s image is taken from a comic romance novel of the early 1960s. The nurse’s love interest, Dr Bob Sanders, is overheard talking to her love rival, her roommate Cora. ‘But she told me you were sick!’ Bob exclaims, ‘That she had to take your place.’ A startled Cora replies, ‘She wanted an excuse so she lied! I’ve never felt better in my life!’ In Nurse, Lichtenstein deliberately and insightfully removes all of the narrative devices and produces an impact which is more dramatic and engrossing.

Technical specifications

Technique: Oil and magna on canvas.

Dimensions: 48 x 48 in. (121.9 x 121.9 cm.).

Signed and dated ‘rf Lichtenstein '64’ (on the reverse).