Abstract Written Script Artwork by Tom Wesselmann, (1972) USA

Abstract script artwork, oil on canvas. 'Bears 'T Wesselmann' NY 1972 to the reverse of the stretcher.

Dimensions 84 cm x 79 cm

Tom Wesselmann (1931–2004) was a pivotal American Pop artist, known for merging classical themes with contemporary culture. Rejecting Abstract Expressionism, he infused traditional subjects like the nude, still life, and landscape with elements from everyday life and advertising. His work is celebrated for its sensual depictions of the female figure, such as in the Great American Nude series, and for his innovative Bedroom Paintings, where he explored intimate, close-up views of the body juxtaposed with common household objects.

After studying art in New York, Wesselmann gained recognition for his dynamic collage-based portraits and assemblage paintings. In the 1960s, he introduced monumental Standing Still Life paintings, reshaping the notion of the still life with sculptural canvases. His later work pushed further into three-dimensional art, blending painting and sculpture with techniques like cutting steel and aluminum to create drawn forms. Wesselmann's legacy lies in his ability to combine the aesthetic of high art with the visual language of mass media, creating works that are both aggressive and playful.