Pop Art Still-life Paintings
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
- Started in Britain in the 1950s, flourished in 1960s-era America
- “This is Tomorrow,” at London's Whitechapel Gallery in 1956, was reportedly the first Pop art exhibition
- A reaction to postwar mass consumerism
- Transitioning away from Abstract Expressionism
- Informed by neo-Dada and artists such as Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg; influenced postmodernism and Photorealism
CHARACTERISTICS OF POP ART
- Bold imagery
- Bright, vivid colors
- Straightforward concepts
- Engagement with popular culture
- Incorporation of everyday objects from advertisements, cartoons, comic books and other popular mass media
POP ARTISTS TO KNOW
- Richard Hamilton
- Andy Warhol
- Marta Minujín
- Claes Oldenburg
- Eduardo Paolozzi
- Rosalyn Drexler
- James Rosenquist
- Peter Blake
- Roy Lichtenstein
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Resin, Acrylic
1970s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil, Acrylic, Ink
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
"Hot sauce is a condiment some people cannot live without," says artist Karen Barton. The clear glass delicately captures the surrounding light while showcasing...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Ink, Oil, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Varnish, Acrylic, Panel
Late 20th Century Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Artist Comments
"Salt and pepper shakers are always together," says artist Karen Barton. Through a combination of brushwork and palette knife application, Karen renders these k...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Magazine Paper, Canvas
Artist Comments
Artist Karen Barton displays a luscious still life of avocado halves set against a softly textured white backdrop. With skillful brushstrokes and palette knife ...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Early 2000s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Early 2000s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Epoxy Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Newsprint
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Epoxy Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Newsprint
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Epoxy Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Newsprint
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Epoxy Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Newsprint
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Spray Paint, Canvas
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Spray Paint, Canvas
1980s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Oil
20th Century Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Artist Comments
Artist Karen Barton displays a still life of a delectable ice cream pint. "Ice cream is such a delicious treat and B & J's Strawberry Cheesecake is just that," says Karen. "It's sure to be a conversation starter." The packaging builds sharp contrast against the pink background, creating a fun and colorful statement piece.
About the Artist
Oil painter Karen Barton creates records of everyday objects through a historical and sentimental lens. With works that feature the ingredients of a PB sandwich or the iconic blue Morton's Salt container...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil
Artist Comments
Artist John McCabe creates three colorful guitars lined in a row. "This was made originally as a promotional poster for a series of acoustic guitar performances that I was doing in Orange County, CA," shares John. He selects rough depictions of some of his favorite guitars and guitar players. The piece pays homage to Buck Owens' red, white, and blue guitar, Emmylou Harris' Gibson J-200, and Don Rich's acoustic Fender.
About the Artist
Words that describe this painting: guitars, Buck Owens, Emmylou Harris, Gibson J200, acoustic, instruments, music, Fender, Don Rich, National Guitars...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Karen Barton paints a pack of Lemonhead with seven glossy pieces lined in the foreground. She displays an enticing presentation of a classic candy. Karen paints with a brush and a palette knife to exhibit bold colors and subtle textures. The vibrant yellow packaging builds an eye-catching contrast against the soft blue and white background.
About the Artist
Oil painter Karen Barton creates records of everyday objects through a historical and sentimental lens. With works that feature the ingredients of a PB sandwich or the iconic blue Morton's Salt...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Spray Paint
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Stencil, Canvas, Pencil, Felt Pen, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Oil, Mixed Medi...
Early 2000s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Gouache, Laid Paper
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Ink, Mixed Media, Oil, Spray Paint, Acryli...
Early 2000s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
1970s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Karen Barton paints a delectable still life of an ice cream pint. "You can't miss the golden halo on this sweet ice cream treat," says Karen. The lid shines with a metallic golden luster, drawing the viewer's interest to the center. It creates a compelling complement to the bold pink packaging.
About the Artist
Oil painter Karen Barton creates records of everyday objects through a historical and sentimental lens. With works that feature the ingredients of a PB sandwich or the iconic blue Morton's Salt container...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Varnish, Acrylic, Panel
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist John McCabe depicts twelve colorful bicycles in a grid. The solid silver background allows the bikes to pop with vibrant color...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Ink, Archival Ink, Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Archival Paper
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic, Panel
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Canvas, Digital
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Pat Doherty presents an assortment of twelve canapes in a geometric pattern. Various crackers, toasts, and cucumber slices are topped with delicacies, in...
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Oil
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic
2010s Pop Art Still-life Paintings
Acrylic