Beyond Pop Art: A Tom Wesselmann Retrospective

“[One of] 15 international summer art exhibitions you should definitely see.” — The Huffington Post

"This show promises to be one of the greatest art events of the summer." — Michael Paglia, art ltd. magazine

Beyond Pop Art: A Tom Wesselmann Retrospective features the work of painter Tom Wesselmann, who is widely regarded as one of the leading figures of American pop art.

Organized chronologically, this exhibition follows the development of Wesselmann’s work, series by series, from the earliest abstract collages to his well-known series, Great American Nude, and still lifes of his pop period to the cut-steel drawings and Sunset Nudes of his late work.

Beyond Pop Art features approximately 100 works, including the larger-than-life Still Life #60 (pictured above) and Screen Star.

This exhibition continues the DAM’s tradition of bringing exhibitions to Denver, like Becoming Van Gogh, that provide an inside look into an artist’s process. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore Wesselmann’s personal and creative journey through preliminary drawings, maquettes, and archival documents, from billboards to photographs and letters.

An exhibition catalog is available in The Shop at the Denver Art Museum and the online museum shop.

Tom Wesselmann (American, b.1931, d.2004), *Landscape #5*, 1965. Oil on canvas and Liquitex and collage on canvas; 84 x 144 1/2 x 18 in. Lent by Claire Wesselmann. © Estate of Tom Wesselmann/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY, Photo Credit: Jeffrey Sturges.

Tom Wesselmann (American, b.1931, d.2004), *Smoker, 1 (Mouth, 12)*, 1967. Oil on canvas, in two parts; Overall 9' 7/8" x 7' 1" (276.6 x 216 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Susan Morse Hilles Fund, 1968. © Estate of Tom Wesselmann/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY, Photo Credit: Jeffrey Sturges.

Tom Wesselmann (American, b.1931, d.2004), *Great American Nude #1*, 1961. Mixed media and collage on board; 48 x 48 in. Lent by Claire Wesselmann. © Estate of Tom Wesselmann/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY, Photo Credit: Jeffrey Sturges.

The exhibition Beyond Pop: Tom Wesselmann was organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts with collaboration from the Tom Wesselmann estate (New York). The Cincinnati Art Museum organized a modified presentation for the exhibition at the Denver Art Museum and the Cincinnati Art Museum. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. It is presented with the generous support of Vicki and Kent Logan, donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine, CBS4, and The Denver Post.