Mel Ramos - Hav-A-Havana 3

Mel Ramos – Hav-A-Havana 3, 1999 is a striking lithograph that blends Pop Art, eroticism, and consumer culture with Ramos’s trademark wit. The image presents a nude blonde figure seated playfully on a large Havana cigar, juxtaposing sensuality with a branded luxury commodity. With its radiant orange background and meticulous rendering, the print captures Ramos’s exploration of mass media imagery, advertising aesthetics, and the commodification of desire. Produced in an edition of 199, each impression is hand-signed and numbered by the artist.

As Ken Johnson noted in The New York Times: “Mel Ramos (…) began painting photorealistic pictures juxtaposing Playmate-like nudes and brand-name commodities against blank or nearly blank backgrounds. In a highly condensed form they embodied the Playboy ethos: the smartly produced blend of intellectual sophistication, discerning consumerism and fun-loving hedonism.” (The Image is Erotic. But is it Art?, 20 January 2009, p. AR30).

Mel Ramos (1935 – 2018) was a prominent American Pop Art artist, celebrated for his vibrant and often provocative artworks that blend commercial imagery with fine art. Born in Sacramento, California, Ramos rose to prominence in the 1960s during the height of the Pop Art movement, which sought to blur the boundaries between “high” art and popular culture. Ramos’s artworks are particularly noted for their glossy, idealized depictions of female nudes integrated with recognizable consumer goods, such as candy bars, soda bottles, and fruits. This fusion created striking visual puns and sardonic critiques of both the commodification of women’s bodies and consumer culture. His style was heavily influenced by his contemporaries, such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, but Ramos carved out a niche with his distinct approach to figure painting, combining elements of realism, commercial art, and surreal juxtapositions. Beyond his famous nudes, the painter also explored other themes using the same bold, graphic style. His series of superhero paintings, for instance, depicted comic book heroes in bright, engaging colors, emphasizing the fantastical and over-the-top nature of American pop culture. An adept printmaker, Mel Ramos extended his practice into printmaking, where he produced a variety of limited edition prints. These prints were not mere reproductions but were often alone standing artworks that explored the same themes as his larger oil paintings. The medium of print allowed Ramos greater experimentation and accessibility, offering art collectors and enthusiasts a piece of iconic American Pop Art at a more accessible price point. Mel Ramos’s contribution to Pop Art remains influential, and his artworks, including his prints, continue to be celebrated in exhibitions around the world. His artwork not only entertains but also provides critical commentary on the visual and cultural landscapes of America, making him a pivotal figure in the Pop Art movement.