American Indian Theme
6 works
Roy Lichtenstein Cathedral VI State II (C. 82) For Sale
Roy Lichtenstein
Cathedral VI State II (C. 82), 1969
Lithograph
48 5/8 x 32 1/2 in 123.5 x 82.5 cm
Edition
Edition of 13
About this work
Roy Lichtenstein’s Cathedral VI State II (C. 82) is the second experimental proof of his Cathedral VI composition, part of his groundbreaking 1969 Cathedral series. In this rare state, Lichtenstein introduces a striking chromatic intensity: deep black Ben-Day dots set against a saturated red ground. This bold pairing dramatically heightens the tension between abstraction and representation, giving the work an almost cinematic immediacy.Unlike the yellow-and-black luminosity of State I, which retained some architectural legibility, State II plunges the viewer into a far more confrontational and visceral experience. The cathedral façade is still perceptible, with its gothic arches and central tower faintly emerging through the veil of dots, but the visual information is overwhelmed by the chromatic violence of red and black. Here, the image hovers precariously between recognition and obliteration—demanding the viewer’s active engagement to piece together the structure.This state underscores Lichtenstein’s fascination with perceptual instability. By altering only color and density, he transforms the cathedral motif from a monument of stability into a flickering optical field. Much like Claude Monet’s Rouen Cathedral paintings—where the building dissolves in varying light conditions—Lichtenstein demonstrates that meaning itself is mutable, subject to the mechanics of reproduction and the eye’s limitations.The choice of red is especially resonant. It infuses the cathedral with an emotional and even existential weight, suggesting both vitality and danger, grandeur and collapse. Where State I was luminous and analytical, State II feels visceral and immersive, pulling the viewer into a confrontation with both the image and the medium itself.Because only 13 impressions of this state were created, it stands as one of the most elusive and experimental proofs in the series. Rather than being a mere preparatory step, State II asserts itself as a distinct aesthetic statement, revealing how Lichtenstein could radically shift meaning through subtle but deliberate technical changes.Ultimately, Cathedral VI State II crystallizes Lichtenstein’s broader project: transforming one of Western art’s most hallowed symbols of permanence into a laboratory of modern perception, reproduction, and abstraction. By cloaking the cathedral in the mechanical mask of Pop Art dots, he reframes it as a meta-image—an icon of both tradition and transformation, solidity and dissolution.For more information or to buy Cathedral VI State II (C. 82) by Roy Lichtenstein, contact our galleries using the form below.
Price on Application
Auction History
Cathedral VI, from the Cathedral Series · Roy Lichtenstein · Heritage Auctions · 2024-12 · $12,500
More from this series
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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.