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Why did Robert Indiana make the LOVE sculpture?
1 Answer
Robert Indiana created the LOVE sculpture to further his “LOVE” series, which he introduced in 1966. It all began with a print of the word “LOVE” with a tiled "O" that appeared on the Museum of Modern Art holiday card. The brightly stacked letters of the Pop art piece were soon everywhere. This success prompted him to craft the first LOVE sculpture in 1970. Reportedly, Indiana's religious upbringing inspired the original LOVE typography. He described the memory of seeing the phrase "God Is Love" printed on a white wall in a church, and that image stuck with him. Find a diverse assortment of Robert Indiana art on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
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Shop for Robert Indiana Art on 1stDibs
"Self Portrait 69" original lithograph
By Robert Indiana
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. Printed in 1973 for the art revue XXe Siecle and published in Paris by San Lazzaro. Image size: 8 3/8 x 8 3/8 inches (210 x 210 mm). Sheet size: 12 1/4 x...
Category
1970s Pop Art Prints and Multiples
Materials
Lithograph
LOVE (Pink) sculpture, official replica with Indianapolis Museum of Art stamp
By Robert Indiana
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana
LOVE (Pink), Artist Authorized, with Incised Indianapolis Museum of Art & Morgan Foundation Stamp and Artist Copyright, 2011
Brushed Aluminum (Pink) and Stamped with M...
Category
2010s Pop Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
LOVE replica sculpture Artist Copyright Indianapolis Museum & Foundation Stamped
By Robert Indiana
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana
LOVE (Official Artist Copyright and Foundation Stamp), 2011
Brushed Aluminum sculpture (Red)
Stamped by artist's estate, Stam...
Category
2010s Pop Art Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
LOVE (The original) Sheehan 39, silkscreen edition of 2275 with artist copyright
By Robert Indiana
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana
LOVE (the original), Sheehan, 39, 1967
Silkscreen on Buckeye Cover paper
Artists copyright stamp on the back
Edition of 2275
33 3/4 × 33 3/4 inches
Unframed
Artists co...
Category
1960s Pop Art Abstract Prints
Materials
Screen
AMOR, Aquatint Etching by Robert Indiana
By Robert Indiana
Located in Long Island City, NY
Robert Indiana created the iconic “LOVE” print initially for the Museum of Modern Art’s Christmas card in 1965. This variation features the Spanish word for love, “Amor”. The etchin...
Category
1990s Pop Art Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching, Aquatint
LOVE (Authorized replica, official stamp of Indianapolis Museum of Art & artist)
By Robert Indiana
Located in New York, NY
Robert Indiana
LOVE (Sculpture Stamped with Indianapolis Museum and Artist Stamp), 2009
Brushed Aluminum (Gold) Stamped with Artist's Copyright & Indianapolis Museum of Art/2011 Morgan Art Foundation/ARS, NY
Stamped/incised w/text: "Authorized Replica/Robert Indiana/LOVE/Indianapolis Museum of Art/2011 Morgan Art Foundation/ARS, NY
3 × 3 × 1 1/2 inches
Unframed
Since first appearing on the Museum of Modern Art’s 1965 Christmas card, Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” quickly permeated the popular imagination, appearing everywhere from life-size sculptures to government-issued stamps. The design’s appeal was timeless, yet also emblematic of the idealistic and free-loving 1960s. As art legend has it, Indiana was first bemused and later conflicted about the instant runaway success of his design, worried that it may have ruined his reputation among the art world elite as a one-hit wonder. Despite the artist’s private insecurities, “LOVE” remains one of the most treasured works in 20th-century American sculpture—breaking $4.1 million at auction in 2011.
Another edition from this authorized, artist approved series recently sold at Christie's in Paris for over $12,000. LOVE (Limited Edition Artist Authorized, with Incised Indianapolis Museum of Art & Morgan Foundation Stamp and Artist Copyright). This is a limited edition artist authorized miniature of the Indianapolis Museum of Art's giant outdoor...
Category
Early 2000s Pop Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
