A Rare Look At Collection From Iconic Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein's Southampton Home As Auction Kicks Off

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Iconic pop artist Roy Lichtenstein lived a life bright with bold color, leaving a forever imprint and legacy — not just in the art world, but on the Hamptons canvas, where the show-stopping Southampton abode he shared with his wife Dorothy was not just a haven, but a home.

Lichtenstein died in 1997 and his wife Dorothy passed away in July, 2024; their Gin Lane home was listed for the first time in more than 50 years in September, according to Cottages & Gardens.

And now, Bonhams in New York City, has announced the auction, "Dorothy and Roy Lichtenstein at Home: The Personal Collection", taking place online from July 20 to July 30.

"This collection features a plethora of contemporary artwork, antique furniture, décor and books from the Lichtensteins’ Southampton home," Bonhams said.

A leading figure in the Pop Art movement, Lichtenstein, who was born in 1923, was famous for his bold painting style inspired by mass advertising and comic strips.

"Bridging fine art and popular culture, Lichtenstein’s work challenged traditional notions of fine art, making it accessible to a broader audience and influencing a generation of contemporary artists," Bonhams said.

His wife Dorothy Lichtenstein, whom he married in 1968, was a philanthropist and arts patron, celebrated for her gracious approach to preserving and sharing her husband's work and legacy. After founding the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation in 1999, Dorothy was instrumental in facilitating the donation of more 1,000 of her husband’s paintings, sculptures, sketches, and personal archives to cultural institutions worldwide, most notably the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The collection up for auction "showcases the vision of a couple who lived for beauty and creativity. Their Southampton residence served as a home and haven, showcasing their lifestyle and sensibilities in addition to housing Roy’s art studio in a separate barn also on the property," Bonhams said.

Within the walls of their home, Roy and Dorothy enjoyed moments of leisure and creative genius, meticulously caring for their belongings and proudly displaying cherished personal items, now up for auction for the first time, Bonhams noted.

"The personal collection of an extraordinary couple like the Lichtensteins invites us to ask: 'What does an artist surround themselves with, day-to-day?' From antique furniture to Ellsworth Kelly’s Blue Curve, this auction is a testament to the interior life of one of the most influential artistic couples of all time. Bonhams is deeply honored to have been chosen by the Lichtenstein family to steward such an extraordinary collection," said Anna Hicks, head of Private & Iconic Collections at Bonhams.

Items included in the auction include a plethora of contemporary artwork, antique furniture, décor and books from the Lichtensteins’ Southampton home. Art from Roy’s personal collection includes pieces by artist-friends like Jasper Johns, Henri Matisse, Ellsworth Kelly, and Robert Rauschenberg.

The collection is highly personal and gives an inside glimpse into how Roy and Dorothy lived, Bonhams noted. Other highlights include a paint-splattered armchair from his studio, a pair of wood shelves that Licthensten used as drying racks for his canvases, and books from their personal library, featuring contemporary artists such as Wayne Thiebaud, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol.

To view the catalogue, click here.