Cathedral #22 1968

Leon Berkowitz's "Cathedral #22" appears to have been created with thinned oil or acrylic washes on canvas, a technique of layering colors that almost feels like looking into stained glass. The way the paint bleeds and merges is essential to this optical effect. Berkowitz built up the image through many translucent layers, each one modifying those below. Notice the vertical orientation; the simple linear composition directs our gaze upwards. It's a highly intuitive process, demanding that the artist balance control and chance. This reminds us that painting involves a physical engagement with materials, a kind of labor, even if the results seem ethereal. Ultimately, understanding how "Cathedral #22" was made helps us appreciate its delicate balance of color, light, and form, blurring the boundaries of painting, craft, and design.