Artist's Palate: Roy Lichtenstein's grilled striped bass

(Image credit: Roy Lichtenstein)

last updated 13 October 2022

In 1961 Roy Lichtenstein painted his first comic book-inspired painting, Look Mickey, in which Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are fishing from a jetty. Within a year his career had gone 'Whaam!'. Tempting to think it was inspired by his own fishing for the delicate flesh of the striped bass, abundant on his own nearby beaches of Monmouth and Orange County. Tempting, also, because his simple, herb and lemon treatment is perfect for such a subtle-tasting fish.

Ingredients
Serves 10-12
1 large striped bass (2-3kg), boned and scaled, with head and tail left on
1 tbsp fresh thyme
5 sprigs parsley
3 slices lemon
1 tbsp salt
½ tsp pepper
butter

Method
Stuff fish with thyme, parsley, lemon, salt and pepper. Rub butter generously into skin on both sides. Grill under medium heat for about 20 minutes on each side depending on thickness.

Melina Keays is the entertaining director of Wallpaper*. She has been part of the brand since the magazine’s launch in 1996, and is responsible for entertaining content across the print and digital platforms, and for Wallpaper’s creative agency Bespoke. A native Londoner, Melina takes inspiration from the whole spectrum of art and design – including film, literature, and fashion. Her work for the brand involves curating content, writing, and creative direction – conceiving luxury interior landscapes with a focus on food, drinks, and entertaining in all its forms