American Indian Theme
6 works
Roy Lichtenstein Cathedral IV (C. 78) For Sale
Roy Lichtenstein
Cathedral IV (C. 78), 1969
Lithograph
48 3/8 x 32 3/8 in 122.9 x 82.2 cm
Edition
Edition of 75 plus 10 AP
About this work
Roy Lichtenstein’s Cathedral IV (C. 78) concludes his 1969 Cathedral series, one of the most conceptually rigorous and visually arresting moments in his printmaking practice. Where earlier works in the series explored optical instability through single-color or dual-color Ben-Day dot fields, Cathedral IV synthesizes the approach into a highly charged chromatic vibration of red and blue dots overlaying one another. The result is a surface that hovers between legibility and dissolution, forcing the viewer to oscillate between seeing the subject—a Gothic cathedral façade—and perceiving the image as nothing more than a coded grid of mechanical dots.At first glance, Cathedral IV seems like pure abstraction: a dense, buzzing field of red and blue dots layered so tightly that the eye struggles to rest. Yet, as the viewer steps back, the unmistakable forms of pointed arches, vertical columns, and tracery emerge. The iconic façade is there, but only as a suggestion, shimmering into being depending on the distance and attentiveness of the gaze. This dynamic interplay makes the act of viewing as important as the subject itself.By concluding the series with the clash of red and blue, Lichtenstein intensifies the optical effect. Unlike the luminous yellows of Cathedral I or the solemn monochrome of Cathedral III, this print embodies tension, vibration, and instability. The overlay of two primary colors speaks to the artificiality of print reproduction while also suggesting depth and shadow, as though the cathedral were flickering between material presence and immaterial code.Thematically, the work engages in dialogue with art history. Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series dissolved Gothic architecture into veils of atmospheric light; Lichtenstein dissolves it into the industrial logic of Ben-Day dots. Where Monet exalted perception’s dependence on shifting natural light, Lichtenstein situates perception within the mediated systems of mechanical reproduction. The cathedral, once a symbol of permanence and divine transcendence, is here reimagined as an unstable optical code, subject to the conditions of mass communication and modern vision.Cathedral IV ultimately encapsulates the paradoxes at the heart of Pop Art. It elevates a sacred symbol of Western civilization through a process associated with comic strips and commercial printing. It presents an image at once monumental and fragile, iconic yet dissolving. And it forces us to confront the tension between cultural heritage and the flattened, endlessly reproducible language of modern media.Taken together with Cathedrals I–III, this work completes Lichtenstein’s radical meditation on perception, history, and reproduction. In Cathedral IV, the viewer experiences both the grandeur of Gothic architecture and the emptiness of a system of dots—an image that vibrates between sacred presence and mechanical absence. It is at once homage, critique, and a profound commentary on how meaning is constructed in an age dominated by mediated vision.For more information or to buy Cathedral IV (C. 78) by Roy Lichtenstein, contact our galleries using the form below.
Price on Application
Auction History
Cathedral (Study) · Roy Lichtenstein · Sotheby's · 2025-10 · $484,038
CATHEDRAL #1-6 (C. 75-80) · Roy Lichtenstein · Sotheby's · 2010-03 · $70,692
Cathedral #3, from Cathedral Series (C. 78; G. 144) · Roy Lichtenstein · Bonhams & Butterfields · 2010-10 · $27,450
More from this series
More series by Roy Lichtenstein
About Roy Lichtenstein
Roy Lichtenstein prints for sale and Roy Lichtenstein paintings for sale at Guy Hepner Gallery, New York. Our inventory spans lithographs, screenprints, and unique works from his most collected series: Brushstrokes, Reflections, Nudes, Interiors, Haystacks, Cathedral, Entablature, and American Indian Theme — all with full provenance and Corlett catalogue raisonné references. We also acquire Lichtenstein. Free valuations available.
Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997) is the defining figure of American Pop Art and one of the most actively traded artists on the post-war and contemporary market. His bold graphic language — Ben-Day dots, black outlines, primary palettes drawn from comic books and advertising — is among the most instantly recognisable in twentieth-century art. Born in New York City, he was exhibited by Leo Castelli Gallery from 1962 and worked until his death in September 1997, producing one of the most extensively documented print catalogues of any artist of his generation.
Roy Lichtenstein Art For Sale
Roy Lichtenstein art for sale spans signed prints, paintings, and unique works across his full catalogue. His most collected categories: signed and numbered screenprints and lithographs from the major series, unique works on paper, and large-format canvas paintings. The auction benchmark was set when Masterpiece (1962) sold for $165 million in a private transaction in 2017, and Nurse (1964) achieved $95.4 million at Christie's New York in 2015. Major print series regularly achieve $100,000–$2 million at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips.
Roy Lichtenstein Prints For Sale
The most liquid and accessible segment of his market. Working with Gemini G.E.L., Petersburg Press, and Castelli Graphics, Lichtenstein produced lithographs, screenprints, woodcuts, and relief prints across three decades. Key series at Guy Hepner:
- Brushstrokes (1965–66) — Pop satire of Abstract Expressionist gesture; his most conceptually celebrated series
- Haystacks (1969) — Monet homage in Ben-Day dots and primary colour; his most decorative print subject
- Cathedral — Rouen Cathedral reworked through his commercial-art graphic vocabulary
- American Indian Theme (1980) — a major suite exploring Indigenous American motifs
- Reflections (1988–94) — canvases-within-canvases; his most technically intricate prints; strongest late-career market
- Nudes (1994–97) — figurative final series synthesising his full graphic vocabulary
- Interiors (1990s) — consumer culture imagery from furniture and décor catalogues; a distinctly American subject
- Peace Through Chemistry — Science and Technology series; bold, graphic, institutionally held
Signed impressions command significant premiums over unsigned editions. Corlett catalogue raisonné reference and publisher's certificate documentation are essential for any acquisition.
Roy Lichtenstein Original Art For Sale
Roy Lichtenstein original art for sale — unique paintings on canvas — represents the rarest category of his output. Major early canvases are primarily in institutional collections; secondary market appearances are concentrated at evening sales at Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips. Works on paper and preparatory drawings offer compelling opportunities for collectors seeking unique works with strong Lichtenstein provenance at more accessible price points.
Roy Lichtenstein Prints — Price Guide
- Unsigned secondary series editions: $5,000–$25,000
- Signed lithographs, Haystacks / Cathedral / American Indian Theme: $30,000–$150,000
- Signed screenprints, Brushstrokes / Reflections / Nudes: $40,000–$500,000
- Early 1960s single-sheet works and rare artist's proofs: $100,000+
Sell Roy Lichtenstein Prints — Free Valuation
Guy Hepner actively acquires Roy Lichtenstein prints, paintings, and works on paper from private collections. If you are looking to sell Roy Lichtenstein prints or seeking a current market valuation, contact our New York gallery for a confidential, no-obligation assessment. We handle all series including Brushstrokes, Reflections, Nudes, Haystacks, Cathedral, American Indian Theme, and Interiors.
Interested in adding Roy Lichtenstein to your collection? Contact Guy Hepner Gallery at 177 Tenth Avenue, New York to discuss current inventory and acquisition strategy.