Cathedral 1
Cathedral 1
Signed Print
Roy Lichtenstein
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123 x 83cm, Edition of 75, Planographic print
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Meaning & Analysis
Roy Lichtenstein, an eminent figure of the Pop Art movement, created his Cathedral series in 1969. The artist was prompted by a photograph of Claude Monet’s 1894 series of oil paintings of the historic monument in Rouen, France.
Monet captured the cathedral at various points of the day, in order to illustrate the temporal movement of light reflected against its architecture. His rhythmic impressionist brushwork makes a close predecessor to Lichtenstein's trademark use of Ben Day dots.
While Monet’s repetition sought to reaffirm the singularity of the Rouen Cathedral, Lichtenstein’s depiction of the monument in Cathedral 1 mechanises the subject matter. The image is refined into uniform light yellow dots, bringing the observer’s attention to the act of seeing over what is portrayed.
The artist utilises a particular planographic printing process in this work, in addition to his usual combination of lithography and screen print. As opposed to a raised surface or incised surface, the image of Cathedral 1 is built on an entirely flat plane. The desired areas are treated with a greasy substance, like tusche, which is a liquidised carbon pigment. As a result, certain parts of the surface will reject the ink, while others will be more receptive to it during the printing phase.
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.