'LOVE: Louisiana' by Robert Indiana, 1972
A rare lithograph poster promoting the artist's exhibit.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, 19 February – 12 March, 1972.
Based on Indiana's original artwork, one of the most iconic pieces of 20th Century Pop Art.
Originally designed in 1964 (for a MoMA NY Christmas card).
33.5 x 24.5 Inches
85.1 x 62.2 Centimeters
Early original lithograph exhibition poster print in colours on thick, wove fine art paper.
The full sheet, printed to the edges.
Published by Domberger, Stuttgart-New York.
*Note: Very good original condition, especially considering age.
ABOUT THE ART
Robert Indiana’s (1928-2018) 'LOVE (Louisiana)' poster from 1972 is a striking embodiment of the artist’s signature visual language, created for his exhibition at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. Featuring bold blocks of red, white, and blue and the instantly recognizable stacked “LOVE” motif, the poster distills Indiana’s fascination with language, typography, and the emotional resonance of simple words. The crisp geometry and color contrasts transform a universal concept into a powerful visual statement, uniting the aesthetic of Pop Art with a message of human connection and idealism.
Indiana’s design draws upon the visual cues of modern advertising and signage while infusing them with personal and spiritual meaning. The tilted “O,” perhaps the most iconic element of the composition, introduces both motion and tension, suggesting that love itself is dynamic, imperfect, and alive. By repeating and recontextualizing the word “LOVE,” Indiana turns language into an image—something to be seen, felt, and experienced rather than merely read. The poster format underscores this accessibility, allowing the artwork to reach a wide public beyond the confines of galleries or museums.
Ultimately, the 'LOVE (Louisiana)' poster reflects Robert Indiana’s broader vision of art as communication—direct, democratic, and deeply human. Created during a period marked by social change and a search for meaning, it captures the optimism and simplicity that defined much of 1960s and early 1970s Pop Art. Though commercial in appearance, the work conveys a timeless message of unity and compassion, demonstrating how a single word, rendered with precision and conviction, can transcend language and culture to become a global symbol.