Color screenprint on aluminum, incised signature and numbered from the hors commerce edition of 10, aside from the numbered edition, sheet 43 x 37 1/2, published by Robert Bane Ltd., printed by Clearwater. This exact piece was formally in the Hugh Hefner/Playboy Magazine Collection.
Camilla by Mel Ramos, created in 1995, is a vibrant screen-print on aluminum that reflects Ramos's signature Pop Art style and his frequent exploration of commercialized femininity. Depicting a sensuous blonde woman in zebra-striped lingerie within a circular pink frame against an orange background, the artwork captures the exaggerated, pin-up aesthetic. With bold colors and a playful nod to classic comic and advertising styles, Ramos merges high art with pop culture, critiquing the commercialization of the female image. This print, part of an exclusive hors commerce edition, was previously held in the Hugh Hefner/Playboy Magazine Collection, adding to its historical allure.
Mel Ramos (United States, 1935–2018) was a prominent American Pop artist renowned for his vibrant paintings that juxtaposed female nudes with consumer goods, such as candy bars and soft drinks. His work satirized the commodification of the female body in advertising, blending realism with abstract elements. Ramos's art is celebrated for its bold commentary on popular culture.
ScreenprintScreen printing is a technique where ink is transferred through a mesh onto a substrate, with areas blocked by a stencil to prevent ink from passing through. This method, also known as serigraphy or silkscreen printing, is commonly used to produce prints on posters, T-shirts, vinyl, stickers, wood, and other materials. The process is a type of stencil printing, allowing for vibrant, detailed designs on various surfaces.
Color screenprint on aluminum, incised signature and numbered from the hors commerce edition of 10, aside from the numbered edition, sheet 43 x 37 1/2, published by Robert Bane Ltd., printed by Clearwater. This exact piece was formally in the Hugh Hefner/Playboy Magazine Collection.
Camilla by Mel Ramos, created in 1995, is a vibrant screen-print on aluminum that reflects Ramos's signature Pop Art style and his frequent exploration of commercialized femininity. Depicting a sensuous blonde woman in zebra-striped lingerie within a circular pink frame against an orange background, the artwork captures the exaggerated, pin-up aesthetic. With bold colors and a playful nod to classic comic and advertising styles, Ramos merges high art with pop culture, critiquing the commercialization of the female image. This print, part of an exclusive hors commerce edition, was previously held in the Hugh Hefner/Playboy Magazine Collection, adding to its historical allure.
Mel Ramos (United States, 1935–2018) was a prominent American Pop artist renowned for his vibrant paintings that juxtaposed female nudes with consumer goods, such as candy bars and soft drinks. His work satirized the commodification of the female body in advertising, blending realism with abstract elements. Ramos's art is celebrated for its bold commentary on popular culture.
I try to work every day, even when I'm not motivated. Ritual is very important to me.
- Mel Ramos
Specialising primarily in depictions of the nude female form, Mel Ramos was a figurative painter whose works also incorporated the elements of pop, realism and abstract art. Alongside fellow artists, Warhol and Lichtenstein, Ramos sought inspiration from such sources as Wonder Woman and Superman comic books while growing up and later was drawn to referencing pin-ups and popular brands; his resulting works often featured absurd images such as a nude woman draped across a chocolate bar, as exhibited in his Toblerone Tess piece – these works are often seen to be a nod to the way capitalism has monopolised the female body. Of his often-controversial works, Ramos stated “I make sure that my works are not too erotic and that they always have a trace of humour...either you understand it or not.” (Artist website)
Comic strip art refers to artwork that utilizes the subject matter and commercial printing techniques found in comic strips. In the 1960s, a group of artists began creating paintings that incorporated Ben-Day dots—commonly used in comics and advertising—to produce highly graphic designs in bright colors, using traditional art media.