“Interior with water lilies” is a notable artwork by artist Roy Lichtenstein, created in the year 1991. This piece was executed using a combination of magna and oil on canvas. Measuring an expansive 320 x 406.4 cm, the artwork is a prime example of the Pop Art movement. It portrays an interior scene and belongs to a genre of domestic settings. The artwork holds the distinction of being housed in Tate Modern, located in London, United Kingdom.
The artwork features a stylized bedroom scene, utilizing the bold colors and thick outlines characteristic of Lichtenstein’s signature style influenced by comic strips and commercial printing techniques. The walls are adorned with a blue wallpaper decorated with dense, uniform dots—emblematic of the artist’s use of Ben-Day dots—interspersed with framed pictures, including what appears to be water lilies, reminiscent of Monet’s series. These framed artworks reflect Lichtenstein’s interest in referencing famous works from art history.
A large bed, marked by its simplified form and striped detailing, commands the center of the composition. It is complemented by bedside tables and lamps on either side, highlighting symmetry and the artist’s attention to the ordinariness of the room’s furnishings. The use of a limited palette underscores the aesthetics of mass production and challenges traditional notions of fine art through its commercial and graphic quality. The piece, while rooted in everyday subject matter, serves as a commentary on art and culture through its Pop Art lens.
