Entablature IX, 1976: Screenprint. lithograph an collage on paper

  • Roy Lichtenstein Entablature IX (1976), screenprint, lithograph and collage with embossing, featuring horizontal bands of black, white and blue with ornate scrolling motifs and linear architectural detailing.
    Entablature IX, 1976
    Screenprint, lithograph, and collage with embossing on BFK Rives paper, sheet: 74 x 114 cm
    Edition of 30; plus 9 AP, 1 RTP, 1 PPI, 1 A
    ©The Estate of Roy Lichtenstein
    BACK TO: ENTABLATURE SERIES
     
    Entablature IX, 1976, presents a refined balance between flat graphic structure and decorative complexity, characteristic of Lichtenstein’s Entablature series. The composition is organised into horizontal bands, with clean black and white linear elements framing a central section of intricate scrolling ornament. A deep blue band introduces a subtle shift in tone, anchoring the composition and reinforcing its architectural rhythm.
     
    The use of embossing adds a tactile dimension to the darker ornamental section, creating a contrast between raised texture and the smooth, printed surfaces above and below. Lichtenstein’s reduction of architectural detail into repeatable, stylised forms reflects his interest in structure, pattern and reproduction. By isolating these elements from their original context, he transforms them into a controlled visual system that bridges classical decoration and modern abstraction.

  • "My work isn't about form. It's about seeing." 

     

    - Roy Lichtenstein

    Across the Entablature series, Lichtenstein systematically explores how architectural detail can be reduced to a visual language of bands, motifs and surface effects. Each work functions as a variation on a shared structure, where subtle shifts in colour, pattern and texture create distinct compositions while maintaining a consistent framework. This serial approach reinforces his interest in repetition and standardisation, mirroring the logic of architectural design and industrial production, where elements are replicated, adapted and refined across different contexts.