Mel Ramos (American, b. 1935) is a renowned Pop artist celebrated for his comic-book-like depictions of naked, voluptuous women. Born in Sacramento, CA, Ramos studied art at Sacramento State College, where he was mentored by Wayne Thiebaud (American, b. 1920), who became a lifelong friend. Ramos taught in the Bay Area for several years before gaining fame in the early 1960s. His work was showcased alongside Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–1997) and Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987) at a Pop Art show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1963.
In 1965, Ramos began creating his most iconic pieces, featuring nude pin-up girls paired with mass-marketed products. Works like Butterfinger (1995) and Lucky Lulu (1965) juxtapose youthful, idealized female figures with candy bars, cigarettes, and other branded items, exploring how modern culture intertwines the female body with beauty and consumerism. Ramos also superimposed his signature figures onto famous nudes from art history and classical mythology.
Ramos has exhibited internationally and his work has been featured in numerous museums, including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. He has held teaching positions at California State University, Syracuse University, and the University of Wisconsin.