Important 20th century Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein’s work came directly from the pages of pulp fiction novels and comic books. Lichtenstein (1923 – 1997) originally taught at a university, drawing inspiration from artists who depicted everyday life. He first painted semi-abstract Old West scenes, before shifting to Americana. He later produced comic strip scenes printed with a process that replicated comic book-style dots. In other works, Lichtenstein explored the contradictions of three dimensions represented on flat surfaces.