Created in 1961, Catedral is an exceptional example of René Portocarrero’s celebrated architectural series, in which the artist transformed Havana’s historic landmarks into vibrant expressions of modern Cuban art. Executed in gouache on paper, the composition reflects Portocarrero’s unmistakable visual language, combining bold black contours, luminous color harmonies, and expressive geometric forms. Inspired by the magnificent colonial architecture of Old Havana, the composition centers on the monumental façade and dome of a cathedral, interpreted through an energetic arrangement of fragmented planes and vivid color. Rather than pursuing strict architectural realism, Portocarrero reimagines the city as a rhythmic tapestry of color, light, and movement, where architecture becomes a poetic symbol of Cuban identity and cultural memory. Executed during one of the most important periods of the artist’s career, Catedral demonstrates Portocarrero’s extraordinary ability to synthesize architecture, abstraction, and decorative rhythm into a uniquely expressive visual language. His confident brushwork, vibrant palette, and dynamic composition reveal the influence of both European modernism and the rich artistic traditions of the Caribbean, resulting in a work of remarkable vitality and sophistication. Widely regarded as one of the defining themes of Portocarrero’s oeuvre, his cathedral compositions remain among the artist’s most recognizable and highly sought-after works, celebrated for their originality, expressive energy, and enduring contribution to twentieth-century Latin American modernism.