Pop Art is an art movement defined by bright colours, bold patterns, and familiar images from everyday life. Pop Art emerged in the mid-1950s and gained popularity throughout the 1960s. Its artists were inspired by popular culture and mass media, and they used everyday objects and images as the basis for their artwork.

But why did Pop Art become such a popular movement? One reason is that it challenged traditional notions of fine art. For centuries, art had been associated with high culture and the elite. It was often seen as inaccessible to the average person. But Pop Art turned this idea on its head. By using images from popular culture, Pop Art made art more relatable and accessible to everyone.

In this blog post, I take a closer look at Pop Art and its key characteristics and introduce you to 11 of the most famous Pop Art artists from across the world, each with their own unique style and approach. These top 11 Pop Art artists include:

Andy Warhol (1928-1987)
Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997)
Claes Oldenburg (1929-2022)
Jasper Johns (1930-present day)
Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008)
Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004)
Richard Hamilton (1922-2011)
James Rosenquist (1933-2017)
David Hockney (1937-present day)
Peter Blake (1932-present day)
Bridget Riley (1931-present day)

Pop Art Characteristics

Pop Art is characterised by several key features. One of these is the use of popular imagery. Pop Art artists drew inspiration from advertising, comic books, and other aspects of popular culture. They often used recognisable images in their artwork, such as celebrities, household products, and everyday objects.

Another defining feature of Pop Art is its use of bright colours. Pop Art works often feature bold, eye-catching colours that draw the viewer's attention. These colors are sometimes used to enhance the impact of the image or to create a sense of vibrancy and energy.

Pop Art also made use of mass production techniques, such as silkscreen printing, to create multiple copies of the same image. This allowed Pop Art to be reproduced quickly and easily, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

By using these techniques, Pop Art challenged traditional notions of fine art. It brought art out of the galleries and museums and into the mainstream, making it more relatable and accessible to everyday people.

1. Andy Warhol (1928-1987)

Marilyn Diptych (1962); Mao (1972); Campbell's Soup Cans (1962) - Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was an American artist, filmmaker, and producer who played a major role in the development of the Pop Art movement in both the United States and globally. Warhol's artistic career spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s, during which time he produced some of the most iconic works of art in contemporary history.

Warhol was active as an artist from the 1950s until his death in 1987. During this time, he created a vast body of work that challenged traditional notions of art and redefined the boundaries of what could be considered fine art. His bold use of colour and his incorporation of popular imagery into his art revolutionised the art world and helped define the Pop Art movement.

Warhol's artwork is highly sought after and some of his most famous works have fetched incredible prices at auction. One of his most expensive works, ‘Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)’, sold for a staggering US$105.4 million at an auction in 2013. Another of his works, ‘Eight Elvises’, sold for US$100 million in a private sale in 2008.

Here are some of Andy Warhol's most famous artworks:

Campbell's Soup Cans (1962) - This artwork was inspired by consumerism and the mass-produced market place. This artwork can viewed in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Marilyn Diptych (1962) - This artwork was created after Marilyn Monroe’s death in 1962. It sought to contrast the public life of the star, with her private self. This artwork is held in the Tate Modern, London, but is not currently on display.
Double Elvis (1963) - For this artwork, Warhol created a strobe effect by overlapping two images of Elvis Presley. This artwork is held in the Museum of Modern Art, New York, but is not currently on display.
Mao (1972) - This series sought to capture the historic meeting between U.S. President Richard Nixon and China’s Chairman Mao Zedong. The series comprises 199 silkscreen paintings of Mao in five scales. This artwork is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, but is not on display.
Flowers (1964) - The flowers series is based on a photograph of hibiscus flowers. These artworks are not currently on display.

The Andy Warhol Museum at 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, is one of the best places to view his artworks. The Museum of Modern Art in New York and Tate Modern in London, also hold extensive collections and regularly hold exhibitions to display his work.

2. Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997)

Roy Lichtenstein was another American artist who played a major part in the Pop Art movement. Roy Lichtenstein's career as an artist spanned from the 1950s until his death in 1997. During this time, he produced some of the most recognisable and influential artworks of the Pop Art era. In particular, he is known for his use of bold colours. His incorporation of comic book imagery into his work challenged traditional notions of fine art and helped define the Pop Art movement.

Some of Lichtenstein's most famous works have fetched impressive prices at auction. His artwork ‘Woman with Flowered Hat’ sold for US$56.1 million at auction in 2013, making it one of his most expensive pieces to date. Another notable work, ‘I Can See the Whole Room...and There's Nobody in It!’, sold for US$43.2 million in 2011.

Some of Lichtenstein's most famous artworks include:

Drowning Girl (1963) - This artwork is one of Lichtenstein's most famous paintings. It is based on samples of a page from issue #83 of Secret Hearts, a romance comic book illustrated by Tony Abruzzo and published by DC Comics in 1962. This image shows a woman set within a wave.
Whaam! (1963) - This artwork comprises a two-canvas painting that is based on a comic book strip. It features a fighter plane firing at an enemy plane. This artwork can be viewed at the Tate Modern, London.
Brushstroke (1966) - This image depicts an enlarged brushstroke.
Oh, Jeff...I Love You, Too...But... (1964) - This artwork is one of the early romance comic derivative works, depicting a women speaking on a phone.
In the Car (1963) - This is another romance work, comprising a couple in a car.

3. Claes Oldenburg (1929-2022)

Claes Oldenburg was an American sculptor born in Sweden in 1929. He was active from the 1950s to the early 21st century, and is known for his unique sculptures and installations that challenge the traditional notions of art.

Oldenburg started his artistic career as a painter, but soon transitioned to sculpture. He created larger-than-life sculptures of everyday objects, such as hamburgers, typewriters, and scissors. His sculptures were made of soft materials such as vinyl, felt, and canvas, and often incorporated elements of humour and satire. Oldenburg's works were highly influential in the development of Pop Art.

Oldenburg's works are known for their playfulness, humour, and boldness, and continue to inspire artists and art lovers around the world.

Oldenburg's most expensive work sold at auction is the ‘Giant Soft Drum Set’, which sold for US$2.2 million in 2011. His works can be found in collections of major museums around the world, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Five of his most famous works include:

Floor Burger (1962)
Giant Soft Toilet (1966)
Typewriter Eraser, Scale X (1999)
Clothespin (1976)
Spoonbridge and Cherry (1985-1988)

4. Jasper Johns (1930-present day)

Jasper Johns is an American artist widely regarded as one of the more influential artists of the 20th century, particularly for his use of familiar imagery and his exploration of the boundaries between painting and sculpture. His early work featured images of targets, flags, and maps, which were inspired by his experiences as a soldier in Korea.

Johns has received numerous awards and honours throughout his career, including the National Medal of Arts in 1990 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.

Here are five of Jasper Johns' most famous artworks:

Flag (1954-55) - This iconic painting features a rendition of the American flag painted in a striking, abstract style. It is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Target with Four Faces (1955) - This painting features a target shape with four faces painted in the center.
White Flag (1955) - This painting features a white flag with a texture that is reminiscent of encaustic wax.
Map (1961) - This painting features a map of the United States with thickly painted lines and splatters of paint.
0 Through 9 (1961) - This sculpture features a series of numbers from 0 to 9 arranged in a grid pattern.

5. Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008)

Robert Rauschenberg was an American artist who played a pivotal role in the development of Pop Art in the 1960s. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1925, and studied art at various institutions, including Black Mountain College and the Art Students League in New York. He was active from the 1950s until his death in 2008.

Rauschenberg's art challenged the traditional boundaries of painting, sculpture, and printmaking, often incorporating found objects and materials in his works.

One of Rauschenberg's most expensive artworks sold at auction was his ‘Buffalo II’ painting, which sold for US$88.5 million in 2012.

Some of Robert Rauschenberg's most famous artworks include:

Monogram (1955-1959) - This work is a mixed media sculpture featuring a taxidermied goat standing atop a painted canvas.
Erased de Kooning Drawing (1953) - Rauschenberg famously requested a drawing from fellow artist Willem de Kooning, only to erase it and exhibit the empty frame as a work of art.
Bed (1955) - This piece features a pillow, sheet, and quilt on a wooden panel, which Rauschenberg painted over with various materials.
Canyon (1959) - This mixed media work includes a stuffed bald eagle, which Rauschenberg acquired through a special permit from the US government.
Mud Muse (1968-1971) - This large-scale installation features a vat of bubbling mud, which is activated by sound vibrations.

6. Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004)

The American artist Tom Wesselmann studied at Hiram College and later at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. After graduation, he moved to New York City where he became associated with other Pop artists including Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Wesselmann's work is characterised by bold, flat, and vibrant colors. He often used cutouts from magazines and advertisements as the basis for his compositions, incorporating images of everyday objects, especially those related to sex and consumer culture. His work often combined painting with other media, including collage, assemblage, and sculpture.

Tom Wesselmann’s most famous artworks include:

Great American Nude #1 (1966)
Still Life #30 (1963)
Smoker #9 (1973)
Mouth #10 (1967)
Bedroom Paintings

The ArtWorks’ Cincinnati Masters mural series, celebrates the talents of internationally recognised artists from the Cincinnati area and includes Tom Wesselmann’s ‘Still Life #60’. This mural is a billboard sized still life painting, composed of 6 separate shaped canvas panels.

7. Richard Hamilton (1922-2011)

Richard Hamilton was a British artist and a pioneer of the Pop Art movement. Hamilton was instrumental in the development of British Pop Art, and his work focused on the themes of modernity, consumerism, and popular culture. He is best known for his collages, which combine imagery from popular media sources such as magazines and newspapers, as well as his interest in technology and industrial design.

In the early 1960s, Hamilton collaborated with The Beatles, including on the cover art for their album ‘The White Album’.

Here are five of Richard Hamilton's most famous artworks:

Just What is it That Makes Today's Homes So Different, So Appealing? (1956) - This collage is considered one of the first works of Pop Art and is often seen as a statement on consumer culture and the American dream.
Swingeing London 67 (1967) - This painting is one of Hamilton's most famous and is a reflection of the political and social climate of the late 1960s.
My Marilyn (1965) - This painting is a portrait of Marilyn Monroe created from a series of press photographs and is a comment on the role of celebrity in popular culture.
Fashion-Plate (1969) - This collage is an exploration of the relationship between fashion and consumer culture and is a prime example of Hamilton's interest in technology and industrial design.
The Citizen (1981-83) - This series of prints is a commentary on the relationship between the individual and society, and explores themes of politics and power in a capitalist society. This print is currently on display in the Tate Modern, London.

8. James Rosenquist (1933-2017)

*CC Image courtesy of Wolfgang Heitzer-Krichel* *Flickr*

James Rosenquist is an American pop artist known for his large-scale paintings that combine elements of advertising and consumer culture with abstract expressionism.

Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Rosenquist studied art at the University of Minnesota and later at the Art Students League in New York City. He began his career as a commercial artist, working for a sign company where he learned the techniques of billboard painting that would later influence his art.

Rosenquist's art is characterised by its use of fragmented images from popular culture, combined with abstract elements and bold colours. His work often addressed political and social issues of the time, including the Vietnam War and consumerism.

Some of Rosenquist's most famous artworks include:

F-111 (1964-65)
President Elect (1960-61)
House of Fire (1982-84)
I Love You with My Ford (1961-62)
Welcome to the Water Planet (1988-89)

9. David Hockney (1937-present day)

David Hockney is a prominent British artist known for his vibrant and colourful works. He was educated at the Bradford School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. He rose to prominence during the Pop Art movement in the 1960s and continued to create art in a variety of styles and mediums throughout his career. He has experimented with painting, drawing, printmaking and photography. More recently, David Hockney has created iPad drawings and immersive art.

Hockney's most expensive artwork sold to date is ‘Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)’, which sold for US$90.3 million in 2018. It depicts a man standing on the edge of a swimming pool, looking down at a swimmer underwater. Hockney created the painting in 1972 and it is considered one of his most iconic works.

Some of David Hockney's most famous artworks include:

A Bigger Splash (1967) - The painting depicts a swimming pool and diving board with a splash in mid-air, capturing a moment frozen in time. This artwork is currently on display in the Tate Britain, London.
Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972) - This painting features a man looking down at a swimmer underwater in a pool. It is considered one of Hockney's most iconic works.
Pearblossom Highway (1986) - This photo collage depicts a desert landscape with a highway and a stop sign. It was created using over 700 individual photographs.
Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy (1970-71) - This portrait depicts the fashion designer couple, with their cat Percy. It is a quintessential example of Hockney's Pop Art style.
We Two Boys Together Clinging (1961) - This painting was created early in Hockney's career and depicts two naked men lying together. It was inspired by a poem by Walt Whitman.

There is an exciting David Hockney immersive exhibition in London during 2023. ‘David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)’ is being housed in Lightroom near Kings Cross station. This exhibition offers visitors a personal journey through 60 years of David Hockney's art.

Visit my blog post to find out where in London you can see David Hockney’s artwork in 2023.

10. Peter Blake (1932-present day)

*Peter Blake - The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Album Cover (1967)*

Peter Blake is a prominent English pop artist. He studied at the Gravesend School of Art and later at the Royal College of Art in London, where he met fellow artist, David Hockney. Blake was one of the pioneers of British pop art, and his work is known for its bright colours, bold patterns, and collage-style compositions.

Some of his most famous artworks include:

On the Balcony (1955) - portrays a group of young bohemian artists, including the artist himself, relaxing on a balcony in Soho, London.
Self-Portrait with Badges (1961) depicts Blake himself adorned with American cultural icons, reflecting his fascination with American popular culture. This artwork is currently on display in the Tate Britain, London.
The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Album Cover (1967) is one of Blake's most famous works. Featuring a collage of iconic figures from history, art, and popular culture surrounding The Beatles.
Babe Rainbow (1969) is a vibrant and psychedelic artwork featuring a woman surrounded by colorful flowers and a rainbow, inspired by the counter-culture movement of the 1960s.
The Meeting or Have a Nice Day Mr Hockney (1981) depicts a fictional encounter between Peter Blake and David Hockney, and includes references to their respective styles.
The Masked Woman with Butterfly Net (1984) features a woman wearing a mask and holding a butterfly net, reflecting Blake's interest in the theatrical and the surreal.

11. Bridget Riley (1931-present day)

Bridget Riley is a British painter who is best known for her optical art, also known as Op Art, which plays with visual perception and creates mesmerising effects. She was born in London in 1931 and started her artistic journey by studying at Goldsmiths College and the Royal College of Art.

Some of Bridget Riley's most famous artworks include:

Movement in Squares (1961) - A geometric abstract painting composed of interlocking squares in contrasting colors, creating a sense of movement and optical illusion.
Cataract 3 (1967) - A striking black and white op-art piece by Bridget Riley, composed of overlapping curving shapes that create a sense of motion and visual distortion.
Blaze 1 (1962) - A vibrant and energetic painting, featuring a series of curving lines in bold contrasting colours that create an optical illusion of movement and depth.
Fall (1963) - A large-scale painting featuring cascading lines of color that give the impression of falling and create a sense of dynamic movement. This artwork is currently on display in the Tate Britain, London.
Nataraja (1993-94) - A colorful and complex abstract painting inspired by the Hindu deity Shiva and featuring intricate patterns and shapes that create a sense of rhythm and flow.

Her contribution to the world of Op Art has been recognised with numerous awards and honors, including the Praemium Imperiale in 2003 and the Order of Merit in 2012.