Cathedral is a powerful abstract painting that depicts blackthorn trees silhouetted against the luminous full moon with colourful stained-glass effect in the background. This work reflects the artist’s enduring fascination with blackthorn trees, a motif he explored extensively following a trip to County Donegal in the late 1950s. This painting is characterised by sharp, angular forms and rich colours, with the branches rendered in dynamic black and red lines that create a sense of tension and movement. The fragmented background, reminiscent of stained glass, features geometric shapes filled with vibrant greens, blues and yellows, evoking a spiritual atmosphere.

In his early career, Kenneth was profoundly influenced by Irish folklore. Traditionally, blackthorn, also known as fairythorn, is guarded by unfriendly spirits who leave the bushes unguarded at the full moon. This work not only captures the haunting beauty of these trees but also pays homage to Irish cultural heritage and Webb’s ancestral ties to the region.

The blackthorn became a defining subject in Kenneth’s work during the late 1950s and led to his critically acclaimed debut in the United States at the Veerhoff Galleries in Washington. That same year, he was awarded a major commission to create a mural of Christ for Bangor Abbey in Northern Ireland. In Cathedral, Kenneth employs the same painterly method he developed for that ecclesiastical project, layering translucent glazes with bold passages of opaque texture to conjure the radiant, prismatic surface of stained glass. This richly worked technique continues to define his most iconic pieces today.

The silhouetted branches depicted in Cathedral take on an additional layer of meaning. They are suggestive of the clandestine gatherings of Irish rebels during the 1798 Rebellion, who met under moonlight armed with pikes. This dual symbolism, a fusion of folklore and historical narrative, underscores Kenneth’s ability to weave personal and national identity into his art.