American pop artist Robert Indiana, best known for his 1960s "Love" series, has died at his island home off the coast of Maine aged 89.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Indiana died on Saturday from respiratory failure at his Victorian home in a converted Odd Fellows hall, a fraternal order lodge, on Vinalhaven Island, where he had lived for years, said his lawyer, James Brannan.
Friends had expressed concern for the reclusive artist's wellbeing because he had not been heard from for some time.
A lawsuit filed in New York City the day before his death suggested he was purposefully isolated by his carers.
Brannan declined to comment on the situation.
The artist's "Love" sculpture, in which the "L" and a leaning "O" sit on top of the "V" and "E", is instantly recognisable worldwide.
However, he also created other works, and fashioned a "Hope" design, similar to "Love", in honour of former president Barack Obama.
"In some ways he was perhaps seen as the proverbial one-hit wonder because 'Love' was so immensely iconic and immensely huge in pop culture. For better or for worse, it overshadowed some of his other contributions," said Dan Mills, director at Bates College Museum of Art in Lewiston, Maine.
In his later years, Indiana was known for living an increasingly reclusive life 24km off the mainland on Vinalhaven, where he moved in 1978.
His desire for solitude was well-known.
He once stood up President Obama at the White House. Another time he made a crew from NBC's Today show wait days before he would let them interview him.
In 2014, he disappointed dozens of fans by failing to make an appearance outside his home for an event dubbed International Hope Day, which was inspired by his creativity. Events were held in several locations around the world.
Australian Associated Press