The artwork known as “As I Opened Fire” was created by the artist Roy Lichtenstein in 1964. Executed in magna on canvas, this piece is a notable example of the Pop Art movement. It belongs to the figurative genre and is housed at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork is composed of three panels, each depicting intense scenes from a comic book-style narrative. The left panel features the nose of an airplane with the word “BRAT!” emanating from it in bold, red letters against a purple background. The center panel highlights the rapid succession of gunfire illustrated by the sound effect “BRATATATATA!” in a dynamic yellow font. The right panel continues the depiction of machine gun barrels discharging fiery bullets, emphasized by the repeated text “BRATATATAT.” The use of vibrant primary colors, bold lines, and dramatic text underscores the piece’s tone and emphasizes the action-packed visual storytelling characteristic of Lichtenstein’s work.
