Name: Temple
Brand: Roy Lichtenstein
Rating: 5 (236 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of Roy Lichtenstein’s Temple (signed) is estimated to be worth between £4,550 and £7,000. This lithograph print, created in 1964, has shown consistent value growth and has an auction history of 33 total sales since its entry to the market in November 2004. The work has sold 3 times in the last 12 months, with an average selling price of £4,885. Over the past five years, the hammer price has ranged from £3,776 in May 2025 to £13,104 in March 2022. The average annual growth rate of Temple is currently at -2%. This work is part of a limited edition of 300.

Meaning & Analysis

Ancient architecture proved early on to be of surprising significance to pop pioneer Roy Lichtenstein. He frequently revisited the prehistoric moments of Western civilisation, studying and selecting instantly recognisable artistic forms and architectural structures. The artist later appropriated his chosen elements, reproducing and emptying them of their original meaning.

Undermining illusionism by the means of abstraction, Lichtenstein’s temple renditions demonstrate his mastery of decoding cultural images and signs. Akin to Temple Of Apolloof the same year, Temple of 1964 is a delicate lithograph. The illustration embraces a holistic view of a Doric style chapel. For this work, Lichtenstein drew inspiration from the formal magnificence and historical endurance of Greek temples. Constructed of local limestone, these buildings were situated on top of rocky hills to which devotees would make pilgrimages. These imposing sanctuaries were important emblems for ancient cities, symbolising growth and prosperity.

Temple’s ruins are constituted by three cracked stone pillars. Bold black, white and grey contours on dense Ben Day dot patterning define the elegant composition. The print zeroes in on the most important visual aspects of the landscape and the architectural structure. This work was created in preparation for Lichtenstein’s eleven-part detail-study of 1976 titled Entablatures.

Roy Lichtenstein, born in New York, 1923, is a seminal figure in the Pop Art movement, renowned for his comic book and advertisement-inspired artworks. His transformative journey from classical painter to Pop Art pioneer began with his iconic piece, Look Mickey, marking the fusion of painting with pop culture. Lichtenstein’s works, including Whaam!, Drowning Girl, and Crying Girl, blend parody and satire, challenging the boundaries between popular culture and ‘high art’. With over 5,000 pieces to his name, Lichtenstein’s enduring influence resonates in contemporary art, his works celebrated in prestigious institutions worldwide.