Cathedral #2, 1969: LITHOGRAPH ON PAPER

Roy Lichtenstein’s Cathedral #2, 1969, continues his exploration of architectural form through the lens of Pop Art, transforming the façade of Rouen Cathedral series into a dense field of red and blue Ben-Day dots. Executed as a lithograph on Special Arjomari paper, the composition relies entirely on this mechanical dot structure to construct the image, with no gestural interruptions. The result is more cohesive and immersive than Cathedral #1, as the cathedral emerges gradually from the interplay of colour and density, appearing and dissolving depending on how the viewer’s eye adjusts to the pattern.

 

This work emphasises Lichtenstein’s interest in perception and optical experience. The alternating red and blue dots create a subtle vibration across the surface, flattening depth while simultaneously suggesting volume and shadow. Rather than modelling form through traditional shading, Lichtenstein builds the image through repetition, allowing the cathedral’s structure to exist as a visual effect rather than a fixed representation. Published by Gemini G.E.L. in a tightly controlled edition, Cathedral #2 reflects a more refined and systematic approach within the series, pushing further into abstraction while still anchoring itself in art historical reference.