Nude Banner
Artist: Tom Wesselmann
Date: 1968–69
Dimensions: 69 x 57 in, 175 x 145 cm
Material: Felt tapestry
Manufacture: Cartonnier; Betsy Ross Flag & Banner Co.; Manufacturers & Multiples Inc.
Edition: 2
Condition: Excellent condition
Provenance: Private collection, France
Nude Banner is a rare and significant tapestry by Tom Wesselmann, produced between 1968 and 1969 as part of an ambitious but largely unrealized series. Conceived during a pivotal moment in the artist’s career, the work reflects his continued exploration of the female nude through the lens of American Pop Art.
Wesselmann, widely recognized as one of the leading figures of the Pop Art movement, developed a distinctive visual language defined by bold color, simplified form, and a reductive approach to line. His work frequently reinterpreted traditional subjects—still life, landscape, and the nude—through a contemporary, distinctly American perspective. Nowhere is this more evident than in his celebrated Great American Nude series, which combined art historical references with imagery drawn from modern culture.
Nude Banner extends this investigation into the realm of textile. Originally intended as part of a series of twenty felt banners, the project was ultimately curtailed after the initial production. As a result, only a very limited number of examples were realized in this medium, making surviving works exceptionally rare.
The composition retains Wesselmann’s signature clarity and immediacy. The nude form is rendered with clean, decisive contours and filled with flat, saturated color, creating a striking contrast between figure and ground. The use of felt introduces a unique material dimension, softening the graphic intensity of the image while preserving its bold visual impact. The surface absorbs light rather than reflecting it, giving the composition a distinctive depth and presence.
Produced in an edition of two, Nude Banner occupies a unique position within Wesselmann’s oeuvre. It represents both an extension of his exploration of scale and material, and a rare intersection between Pop Art and textile production.
With its strong graphic presence and historical significance, Nude Banner stands as a compelling example of Wesselmann’s ability to distill complex visual ideas into direct and impactful form—bridging the gap between fine art and object with clarity and precision.
