Mirror 7, 1972: Print from the Mirror series

  • Roy Lichtenstein Mirror #7 (1972), vertical abstract print with Ben-Day dots and minimal colour accents forming a stylised mirror shape.
    Mirror #7, 1972
    Lithograph and screenprint on Special Arjomari paper, sheet: 98.9 x 64.8 cm
    Edition of 80; plus 10 AP, 1 RTP, 1 PPII, 3 GEL, 1 C
    ©The Estate of Roy Lichtenstein
    BACK TO: MIRROR SERIES
     
    Mirror #7, 1972, presents one of Roy Lichtenstein’s most vertically structured interpretations of the mirror motif, evoking the form of an architectural panel or standing glass. The composition is dominated by a field of Ben-Day dots that gradually shift in density, suggesting variations in light and surface. Subtle accents of primary colour along the edges introduce a sense of framing, reinforcing the idea of a reflective object while maintaining a highly abstract visual language. The arched top further references traditional mirror shapes, grounding the work in a recognisable form despite its minimalism.
     
    Here, Lichtenstein refines his exploration of reflection into a near-monochromatic system, where the illusion of depth and surface is achieved through repetition and variation rather than depiction. The combination of lithograph and screenprint allows for precise control over the dot pattern, creating a mechanical texture that echoes the processes of mass reproduction. By removing any literal reflection, Lichtenstein compels the viewer to interpret the image through visual convention alone, transforming the mirror into a conceptual structure that exists between object, image, and idea.

  • "My use of evenly repeated dots and diagonal lines and uninflected color areas suggest that my work is right where it is, right on the canvas" 

     
    - Roy Lichtenstein
    Lichtenstein’s Mirror series is fundamentally an exploration of how light and reflection can be translated into a graphic language. Rather than modelling light through shading or tonal gradation, he uses Ben-Day dots, sharp lines, and flat colour fields to simulate the way light shifts across a reflective surface. Variations in dot density and the placement of contrasting colours create the impression of highlights, shadows, and curvature, all without depicting an actual reflected image.