Roy Lichtenstein, renowned for his signature comic strip style and bold use of Ben-Day dots, created "Water Lily" in 1990 as part of a collaboration with the German porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal. This particular work is part of the Rosenthal Studio-Line, where the boundaries between fine art and functional design were explored by fusing modern art with everyday objects. Lichtenstein's plate design reimagines the traditional natural motif of water lilies but does so in his distinctive pop art aesthetic.

In "Water Lily," Lichtenstein applies his characteristic flat planes of colour, sharp outlines, and minimal detail to transform the familiar organic forms into a graphic, almost abstract version. The work draws inspiration from art history - particularly Monet’s impressionist water lilies - but filters it through the lens of modernity and commercial art. This synthesis of high art and mass production techniques underscores Lichtenstein’s interest in challenging the hierarchy between fine art and consumer culture.

The piece maintains the playful and ironic tone that Lichtenstein often employed, as it subverts the delicate beauty of a natural water lily and instead renders it in a style typically associated with industrial or commercial design. The collaboration with Rosenthal allowed his art to extend into domestic spaces, making Lichtenstein’s aesthetic accessible in a functional form, blending art with everyday life.