The Cologne cathedral is a Roman Catholic church based in Cologne, Germany. The cathedral began construction in 1248 and was completed in the nineteenth century according to its original Gothic design. The design for the cathedral is based on the shape of the Latin cross and has stained glass windows added within. This cathedral is believed to hold the remains of the Three Kings, making it a significant pilgrimage site. There are many notable features regarding this architectural feat. For one, it is Germany’s most visible and prominent landmark, attracting up to 20,000 people in a single day. It is also a visually impressive monument as it is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and also the largest façade of any church in the world. Today, visitors can climb more than 500 steps of the cathedral to reach a scenic view of the Rhine. The cathedral is a truly remarkable example of Medieval architecture. In 1996, the Cologne Cathedral was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Andy Warhol created a series of four screenprints in 1985 as part of his Cologne Cathedral series. Each print features the cathedral in brilliant colors and lines which slightly blur its original features. This pop rendition of the cathedral is mesmerizing, as Warhol conveys its height dramatically throughout the image. Even more intriguing, Warhol seems to create new meanings of the architecture through his unabashed use of color. Warhol cleverly appropriates depictions of a classic subject matter, placing himself amongst other landscape and architecture painters.
Browse our fine art collection of Andy Warhol Cologne Cathedral series.