Who The Heck Is Brad, Mr. Lichtenstein?

Roy Lichtenstein, Drowning Girl, 1963

My brother Brad is seven years older than me. He was and still is an amazing brother. If you have an older sibling, though, you know what I mean when I say that sometimes it gets to me that I will never EVER be a fully grown adult in his eyes. Ever.

So when I stood in front of Roy Lichtenstein's painting 'Drowning Girl' in New York's Museum of Modern Art and read the caption "I don't care! I'd rather sink than call Brad for help!" I felt I could relate. I bought a poster on the spot and gave it to Brad's wife for Christmas. Thankfully, they both saw the humour in it and loved the work.

I did not know until this morning when I was pondering what art story to share with you guys that Lichtenstein painted several works with women who mention Brad.

For instance, there's this one:

Roy Lichtenstein, I Know...Brad, 1964

Or this one, which is exciting because Brad is in it! Turns out that he is an artist. With a strong jaw line.

Roy Lichtenstein, Masterpiece, 1962

So I did some digging to see what was up between Lichtenstein and some guy named Brad, but other than learning that there is at least one guy out there named Brad Lichtenstein (which I guess would be cool) it seems to be a name that Roy Lichtenstein just liked.

Do you know the answer to the Brad mystery? If so, please share! I'll be here wondering...

All images are fair use.