In the Car

"In the Car" is a captivating Pop Art painting by Roy Lichtenstein, created in 1963. There are indeed two versions of this artwork. The smaller, earlier version once held the record for the highest auction price for a Lichtenstein painting. In contrast, the larger version has been part of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art's collection in Edinburgh since 1980.

Lichtenstein drew inspiration for this painting from the comic book series "Girls' Romances" published in September 1961. "In the Car" was featured in Lichtenstein's second solo exhibition at the Leo Castelli Gallery in 1963, alongside other notable works. The smaller version of the painting, originally from Lichtenstein's estate and consigned by his son, Mitchell Lichtenstein, was sold in 2005 for a staggering $16.2 million, setting a new auction record for his work.

Lichtenstein's portrayal of women in his comic-inspired art is often described as hard-edged, crisp, and melodramatic. "In the Car" captures a tense, romantic moment between a man and a woman, with parallel lines suggesting motion. The painting is renowned for its powerful depiction and was a standout piece in the 1963 exhibition.

In the early 1960s, Lichtenstein frequently painted scenes of women involved in love affairs with domineering men, which led to the creation of "In the Car." This particular piece conveys a mood of resignation, with the woman appearing silent and contemplative. As Lichtenstein's art evolved, he transitioned from these dramatic portrayals to more innocent depictions of women in various emotional states in his later works.