What started the Pop art movement?

Artists in the United Kingdom started the Pop art movement as a reaction, both positive and critical, to the period's consumerism. Its goal was to put popular culture on the same level as so-called high culture. London-born artist Richard Hamilton is widely believed to have had a pioneering role in Pop art, which drew on imagery from popular culture - comic books, advertising, product packaging and other commercial media - to create paintings and sculptures that celebrated ordinary life in the most literal way. Although British artists launched the movement, they were soon overshadowed by their American counterparts. Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Rosalyn Drexler are some of the American artists associated with the history of Pop art. Find original Pop art on 1stDibs.