Phillips X will present “Diana and Ajax,” an intimate view of two Greco-Roman inspired works by Roy Lichtenstein commissioned by Gianni Versace as part of the artist’s “Interior” series. The pair was intended to be displayed in Versace’s Milan home, but the paintings were still in Lichtenstein’s studio when Versace died in 1997. Later, Donatella Versace obtained the works and displayed them in the Versace New York Townhouse.
A selection of Lichtenstien’s works will be displayed alongside “Diana and Ajax” in the Southampton gallery, including “Girl in Mirror” and “Shipyard Girl.” Both “Interior with Diana” and “Interior with Ajax” feature Lichtenstien’s iconic Benday dots and take influence from Greco-Roman iconography, the first depicting the virginal Roman goddess of the moon and hunt and the latter depicting the Greek hero from the Trojan War.
The exhibition will run from August 12 to September 6.