Entablature X, 1976: Screenprint, lithograph and collage on paper

  • Roy Lichtenstein Entablature X (1976), screenprint, lithograph and collage with embossing, featuring bold typographic lettering “JVSTITIA” set within horizontal bands of classical architectural ornament.
    Entablature X, 1976
    Screenprint, lithograph, collage with embossing on BFK Rives paper, sheet: 74.1 x 114.1 cm
    Edition of 18; plus 9 AP, 2 CTP, 1 RTP, 1 PPI, 1 A
    ©The Estate of Roy Lichtenstein
     
    BACK TO: ENTABLATURE SERIES
     
    Entablature X, 1976, stands apart within the series through its inclusion of large-scale typography, with the word “JVSTITIA” integrated into the architectural structure. The composition retains the horizontal banding typical of the Entablatures, with layered ornamental motifs and decorative borders framing the central text. This combination of classical inscription and stylised ornament reinforces Lichtenstein’s interest in architectural language as both visual and symbolic.
     
    By incorporating text into the composition, Lichtenstein draws attention to the communicative function of architecture, where façades often carry inscriptions tied to authority, law or public identity. The precise rendering of the lettering alongside the mechanical repetition of decorative elements underscores his exploration of structure, reproduction and design. As with the wider series, the use of embossing and layered techniques introduces subtle depth, balancing the work between flat graphic clarity and material presence.
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  • "In America the biggest is the best." 

     

    - Roy Lichtenstein

    The Entablature series (1974–76) was developed from Roy Lichtenstein’s photographs of architectural details across New York, where he focused on fragments of building façades rather than entire structures. By isolating elements such as mouldings, friezes and decorative bands, he transformed everyday urban ornament into structured, abstract compositions. These works reflect the layered visual language of New York architecture, where classical references coexist with modern materials and construction methods.