# Varoom!

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Painting by Roy Lichtenstein

For other uses, see [Varoom (disambiguation)](/source/Varoom_(disambiguation)).

Varoom! Artist Roy Lichtenstein Year 1963 Movement Pop art Dimensions 142.2 cm × 142.2 cm (56 in × 56 in) Location The John and Kimiko Powers Collection

***Varoom!*** is a 1963 [pop art](/source/Pop_art) painting by [Roy Lichtenstein](/source/Roy_Lichtenstein) that depicts an explosion and the [onomatopoeic](/source/Onomatopoeia) sound that gives it its name.

## Background

*Varoom*, 1965

In the early- and mid-1960s Lichtenstein produced several of his most notable works, many with themes of war or romance, but others with themes of explosions or brushstrokes. Several of Lichtenstein's large-scale depictions of explosions, such as *Varoom!* are iconic.[1] *Varoom!* along with *[Whaam!](/source/Whaam!)* and *[Bratatat!](/source/Bratatat!)* are among Lichtenstein's most recognizable onomatopoeic works and was in a sense part of Lichtenstein's response to [action painting](/source/Action_painting). [2]

Lichtenstein's list of aeronautically themed works is extensive. *Varoom!* is an explosion that is regarded as part of that theme.[3] *Varoom!*, which depicts an instantaneous explosion, is composed of the [primary colors](/source/Primary_color) presented over a light dotted background. Black and white specs add crackle to the composition. The block-lettered text, "VAROOM!", stands out, giving a title to the shattering event.[3]

In 1964, this painting served as the basis for the beginning of Lichtenstein's sculptural efforts, when he produced an enameled steel work that extended his theme of flatness. In 1965, he extended this theme to [ceramic art](/source/Ceramic_art).[4][5]

Lichtenstein also created another painting entitled *Varoom* (no exclamation point, 1965).[6]

## Critical appraisal

*Varoom!*, which spews action and drama, is based on the "visual language of comics", unlike the romance and war comic-based work that focuses more on the narrative than the graphic details as this work does.[7]

## See also

- [Comics portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Comics)
- [Visual arts portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Visual_arts)

- [1963 in art](/source/1963_in_art)

## Sources

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ArtDaily_2012-05-22_1-0)** ["Art Institute opens the most comprehensive exhibition ever devoted to Roy Lichtenstein"](http://artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=55524#.Ucdg1FV7P2E). *ArtDaily*. May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MrPorter_2013-02-12_2-0)** ["The Report: Mr Roy Lichtenstein"](http://www.mrporter.com/journal/journal_issue101/6#1). MrPorter.com. February 12, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pisano_2003_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pisano_2003_3-1) Pisano, Dominick A., ed. (2003). [*The Airplane in American Culture*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ISeibypYDEcC&q=bratatat+lichtenstein&pg=PA275). [University of Michigan Press](/source/University_of_Michigan_Press). p. 275. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0472068334](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0472068334). Retrieved June 21, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Tate_4-0)** ["Wall Explosion II 1965"](http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/lichtenstein-wall-explosion-ii-t03083). [Tate Modern](/source/Tate_Modern). Retrieved June 23, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Weitmann_2002_5-0)** Weitman, Wendy; et al. (2002). [*Pop Impressions Europe/USA: Prints and Multiples from The Museum of Modern Art*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5ggm4z5PQgsC&q=%22Varoom%21%22+lichtenstein&pg=PA73). [Museum of Modern Art](/source/Museum_of_Modern_Art). p. 73. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0870700774](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0870700774). Retrieved June 23, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ID_1046_6-0)** ["Varoom"](http://image-duplicator.com/main.php?work_id=1046&year=1965&decade=60). LichtensteinFoundation.org. Retrieved June 23, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Carl_2012-07-17_7-0)** Carl K. (July 27, 2012). ["Lichtenstein of the Week"](http://blog.artic.edu/blog/2012/07/27/lichtenstein-of-the-week-11/). [Art Institute of Chicago](/source/Art_Institute_of_Chicago). Retrieved June 23, 2013.

## External links

- [Lichtenstein Foundation website](http://image-duplicator.com/main.php?work_id=0122&year=1963&decade=60)

v t e Roy Lichtenstein Paintings Ten Dollar Bill (1956) Electric Cord (1961) Engagement Ring (1961) Girl with Ball (1961) I Can See the Whole Room...and There's Nobody in It! (1961) Look Mickey (1961) Mr. Bellamy (1961) Roto Broil (1961) Blam (1962) Brattata (1962) Golf Ball (1962) Jet Pilot (1962) Kiss II (1962) Masterpiece (1962) Portrait of Madame Cézanne (1962) Takka Takka (1962) Baseball Manager (1963) Bratatat! (1963) Crak! (1963) Crying Girl (1963) Drowning Girl (1963) Hopeless (1963) In the Car (1963) Okay Hot-Shot, Okay! (1963) Torpedo...Los! (1963) Varoom! (1963) Whaam! (1963) Woman with Flowered Hat (1963) As I Opened Fire (1964) Girl in Mirror (1964) Happy Tears (1964) Nurse (1964) I Know...Brad (1964) Oh, Jeff...I Love You, Too...But... (1964) Ohhh...Alright... (1964) Sleeping Girl (1964) We Rose Up Slowly (1964) Brushstrokes (1965) Big Painting No. 6 (1965) Girl with Hair Ribbon (1965) Grrrrrrrrrrr!! (1965) Little Big Painting (1965) M-Maybe (1965) The Melody Haunts My Reverie (1965) Yellow and Green Brushstrokes (1966) Artist's Studio—Look Mickey (1973) Cubist Still Life with Lemons (1975) Bedroom at Arles (1992) Large Interior with Three Reflections (1993) Nude with Yellow Flower (1994) Nudes with Beach Ball (1994) Sculptures Mermaid (1979) Expressionist Head (1980) Brushstrokes in Flight (1984) Five Brushstrokes (1984 sculpture) Five Brushstrokes (1984 series) Modern Head (1989) The Head of Barcelona (1992) Tokyo Brushstroke I and II (1994) Brushstroke (1996) Brushstrokes (1996) House I (1996) Murals Mural with Blue Brushstroke (1986) Times Square Mural (1994) Other works Brushstrokes series (1965–66) BMW Art Car (1977) Related Dorothy Lichtenstein (second wife) Mitchell Lichtenstein (son)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Varoom!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varoom!) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varoom!?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.