ROY LICHTENSTEIN, ENTABLATURE IV, ENTABLATURE SERIES, SCREEN PRINT AND LITHOGRAPH IN COLOURS WITH COLLAGE AND EMBOSSING ON BFK RIVES PAPER, EDITION OF 30, 1976
Roy Lichtenstein first began examining the architectural facades of New York City in 1971. He took special interest in the horizontal structures that were placed atop columns, commonly referred to as entablatures. Over the course of 5 years, the artist produced two series of paintings centered around this ornamental feature. His series of Entablature prints were completed in 1976 and consist of eleven works on off-white Rives wove paper.
The series represents distinctly industrialised architectural imitations, built in abundance all over America in the early 20th century. Each print isolates particular architectural motifs encountered around Lower Manhattan. The artist considers the features as coded symbols of imperial power, imprinted on the facades of the very buildings people call their homes and workplaces.
Typically associated with comic book style portrayals of commercial culture, the Entablature series illustrates Lichtenstein’s skilful appropriation of more monumental elements of design.
Once again, the artist traces the effects of mass production and replication, only on a larger cultural scale this time. Additionally, Lichtenstein’s Entablatures spotlight historical conventions governing architectural and art historical creation, like the eminence of the Classical order and the doctrine of Minimalism.
Find out more about the Entablature series by Roy Lichtenstein.
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.
