Art Inspired by Cartoons

From SpongeBob SquarePants to Snoopy, many beloved childhood cartoons have made an impact on the history of art. Roy Lichtenstein was the first to transform the aesthetic of comic strips into fine art when he painted fighter jets, crying girls, and kissing couples in brightly-colored dots and stripes. His Pop contemporary Andy Warhol grew up obsessed with comic books and portrayed Superman flying through the air as an homage to his childhood hero. For contemporary artists, Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse has been especially influential, appearing in prints by Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Banksy, and more. KAWS and Takashi Murakami have even invented their own versions of the classic cartoon, naming their creations Companion and Mr. DOB …