Tom Wesselmann (1931–2004) was an American artist associated with the Pop Art movement, celebrated for his bold and colorful depictions of everyday objects and the female form. Wesselmann initially studied psychology before shifting his focus to art, attending the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and later moving to New York City. His iconic series, "Great American Nude," gained widespread attention in the 1960s, featuring stylized and larger-than-life portrayals of nude women juxtaposed with commonplace objects like telephones and American flags. Wesselmann's art often blurred the boundaries between fine art and popular culture, utilizing a flat, graphic style reminiscent of advertisements and comic strips.

 

Tom Wesselmann has been included in numerous public collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Hirschhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden in Washington DC, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Wesselmann's contribution to the Pop Art movement, with its vibrant colors, eroticism, and celebration of popular imagery, continues to be recognized for its impact on the broader landscape of contemporary art.