Approaching The Castle Roy Lichtenstein

ROY LICHTENSTEIN, APPROACHING THE CASTLE, WOODCUT ON VARIOUS DRAWING PAPERS, EDITION OF 30, 1951

Roy Lichtenstein is known for his prints and paintings inspired by commercial and popular culture. Although the majority of his artworks maintain a certain air of parody, the thematic contents of his early prints differ greatly from his later artistic output.

Similar to Knight With Lady of the same year, Lichtenstein’s 1951 Approaching The Castle presents a boldly gouged woodcut rendition of a knight’s tale. The artist’s acclaimed satirical sensibilities and graphic stylistic elements are clearly detectable in this carving. Set on white drawing paper, this darkly hued composition is of a playful and narrative nature. All pictorial elements are distinctly delineated as a result of the printing method. The absurd proportions of the boat, the size of the knight, and the mythical figure awaiting him on shore elevate this print from serious to comedic.

In Approaching The Castle, Lichtenstein blends naturalistic and graphic forms of expression. His borrowed medieval iconography pokes fun at traditional Western portraits featuring the same subject matter. Additionally, the print also mirrors the layout of elaborate 15th century textiles and tapestries chronicling historical conquests and events. Although the pigments may be somewhat somber, the artist’s joyful rendering of the scene lends the work a whimsical quality.

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ABOUT ROY LICHTENSTEIN

Born in Manhattan in 1923, Roy Lichtenstein was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement during the second half of the 20th century. His distinctive artistic style is inspired by the visual language of consumerism and advertising that pervaded American popular culture at the time, and his work recalls a society of widespread commercialism that has remained powerfully relevant to this day. Learn more about Roy Lichtenstein.