Roy Lichtenstein: Like New at the Whitney

Roy Lichtenstein, Girl in Window (Study for World's Fair Mural), 1963. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 68 1/8 × 56 in. (173 × 142.2 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of The American Contemporary Art Foundation, Inc., Leonard A. Lauder, President 2002.254. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026 

Bold primary colors, Ben-Day dots and comic-book drama: Roy Lichtenstein: Like New opens at the Whitney Museum of American Art on October 11, 2026, and it's the first major New York exhibition of the Pop art legend in more than 30 years.

The show brings together more than 130 works from six decades of his career. It's one of those exhibitions that works for everyone: art lovers will find plenty to think about, and kids will instantly recognize the cartoon-bright colors. It runs through May 10, 2027, so there's time to go more than once.

What you'll see

Lichtenstein borrowed the look of the everyday: ads, comic strips and catalog illustrations. The exhibition explores his fascination with duplication, perception, simulation, authorship and image culture, and how a picture changes each time it's copied.

Look out for:

• Everyday objects, supersized: a giant tire straight out of an ad, and an oversized composition notebook
• Cartoon favorites: Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse in Look Mickey (1961), the painting that started it all
• The comic-book heroines: his famous damsels in distress, tearfully declaring they'd rather sink than call Brad
• Iconic works: Drowning Girl (1963), Happy Tears (1964), Little Big Painting (1965) and Rouen Cathedral, Set III (1968–69)

Here's the surprise: although his work looks machine-made, like something printed in a factory, Lichtenstein made everything meticulously by hand. Get up close and you'll see it.

Roy Lichtenstein, Artist's Studio "Look Mickey" (Study), 1973. Colored pencil, graphite pencil, acrylic and 
collage on paper, 17 × 22 1/2 in. (43.2 × 57.2 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of the 
Roy Lichtenstein Foundation 2019.47. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

Don't miss

The Greene Street Mural. (You can't miss this one) The exhibition opens with a recreation of Lichtenstein's Greene Street Mural (1983), stretching nearly 96 feet. It's a dramatic first look at Lichtenstein's work, and a great spot to let little ones take in the scale.

The balcony. After navigating through the space, step outside for an outdoor presentation of Girl in Window (1964), along with a giant sculptural brushstroke looking out over the Village. Pair it with the view and it's one of the best photo ops in the museum.

Installation view of Roy Lichtenstein: Like New (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, Oct 11, 
2026–May 10, 2027). Roy Lichtenstein, Coups de Pinceau, 1988 (fabricated 2011). Photograph by Filip 
Wolak 

Visiting with kids

Lichtenstein might be the most kid-friendly artist in the museum world. A few ideas to make the most of it:

• Play "spot the dots." Have kids find the tiny Ben-Day dots in each painting, then step back and watch them disappear.
• Count the colors. Many works use just a handful of primary colors. Ask kids to name them as you go.
• Make up the story. The comic-style paintings are perfect for asking "What happens next?"
• Go early. Weekday mornings tend to be calmer for strollers and little legs.
• Make a day of it. Stroll the High Line, which starts right outside the museum, before or after your visit.

Plan your visit

Check the Whitney's website for tickets, hours and visitor information before you go.

Cover Image: Installation view of Roy Lichtenstein: Like New (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, Oct 11, 2026–May 10, 2027). Roy Lichtenstein, New York World's Fair Mural (Girl in Window),1963/2026 (Recreation by Alex Da Corte studio). Photograph by Filip Wolak