Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas (four joined panels)
<span class="gray">Overall:</span> 108 x 108 in. (274.3 x 274.3 cm)<div class="div_addlDim"><span class="gray">Each panel:</span> 54 x 54 in. (137.2 x 137.2 cm) (approx.)</div>
Signed and dated top right panel verso, upper left: rf Lichtenstein / '69
Classification: painting

Painting

In this catalogue paintings are classified as follows:

Painting is a work with acrylic and/or oil on canvas or on another two-dimensional support (canvas board, wood panel, etc.)

Painting (mural) is a large-scale painting, historically called "mural"

Painting on paper describes a work in acrylic, oil or watercolor on paper or board

Dates

Lichtenstein usually signed and dated a painting on the verso around the time it was finished, inventoried or shipped to a gallery or storage. Some pre-Pop paintings were dated in code (e.g., RLCR 502). 

See also: 8. DATES

Media Lines

Described are all media visible on a painting's recto. Paint is listed first, followed by graphite pencil where present, followed by the support. An inscription's medium is given beneath the media line if different from the painting media.

Acrylic and Oil Paints

The painting media lines in this catalogue are rarely based on technical analysis by a museum or a conservator. They are mostly informed by conversations with the artist's studio assistants, by examination of paint jars and tubes that were kept after the artist's death and by RLF records or Leo Castelli Gallery files. 

In this catalogue, all types of acrylic paint are listed as "acrylic" and all types of oil paint as "oil."

Historically, the brand name "Magna" (acrylic dispersion paint by Bocour Artist Colors, Inc.) has been used to describe all of Lichtenstein's acrylic. RLF records and technical analysis by art museums confirm that the artist did not only use Magna, but at times Liquitex acrylic emulsion paint and, later, Golden Artist Colors acrylic dispersion paint. When Magna production stopped in c. 1990, Lichtenstein bought up large amounts of Magna. He also reached out to Golden who worked with him to devise custom MSA colors in Lichtenstein's hallmark hues.      

Pop paintings and later works were usually painted with both acrylic and oil. It is assumed that around 1962, Lichtenstein experimented with Liquitex and Magna before adopting Magna as the main medium. For paintings of 1962–63, media lines are informed by notes on RL Studio Cards and/or in the Leo Castelli Gallery inventory. In rare instances, media lines were written by the artist on the verso of a work (e.g., RLCR 691). For paintings of 1964 and beyond, solid colors are assumed to be acrylic and dots and diagonals oil. However, it is possible that Lichtenstein continued his experimentation with paints through and after 1964.

Graphite Pencil Underdrawing

A closer look at Lichtenstein's paintings reveals that graphite pencil underdrawing and palimpsest is visible in most of them, starting in the 1960s. Nevertheless, pencil has not historically been mentioned in the related media lines. Due to the artist's well-known intention that his work not appear "too finished," this catalogue includes pencil in media lines. If in question from examination report results or other documentation, the presence of graphite pencil is assumed. When a researcher's examination report confirms that pencil is not visible, it is not included. 

Painting: Other Mediums and Techniques

Canvas
Different types of canvas are not described. A regular type used was #10 cotton duck from New York Central Art Supply. Circular canvases were at least partially ordered there as well. Earlier paintings' canvases are typically finer and sometimes described as "linen" in studio records. 

Sand
In the Imperfect/Perfect and Entablature paintings, grainy areas are visible. Lichtenstein created this texture by adding beach sand, usually to a thick white underlayer over which he applied the final color. 

Sgraffito
This reductive technique of line-making is found in about 25 pre-Pop paintings. 

Stretchers
Stretchers are not included in media lines. Lebron stretchers were standard orders from c. 1972 on, and were typically delivered assembled. A different stretcher brand was introduced once and quickly abandoned.  

Strip frames
Strip frames are not included in media lines. Slightly raised above the edges, strip frames served as a practical protection during shipment and storage movements and were routinely added to paintings at least from the time James dePasquale became Lichtenstein's assistant.   

Painting on Paper: Other Mediums and Techniques

Masking out
Masking techniques are indicated, but the material used (e.g., frisket, small objects) is not identified (e.g., RLCR 219).

Watercolor application
When it is applied in multiple ways, watercolor application method is described, otherwise brush is implied. For example, see RLCR 365, “Watercolor, brushed, smudged by hand and sprayed, with masking out, graphite pencil on paper." 

Dimensions

Painting dimensions are given from canvas edge to canvas edge, excluding original wood strip frames nailed to the edges. 

For multi-panel paintings, if panels are joined, overall dimensions and dimensions of each canvas are given. If panels are separate, only panel dimensions are provided since overall dimensions vary by installation. Lichtenstein usually suggested a distance of approximately 7 inches between canvases for installation. This fact informed spacing of related images in the catalogue entries (e.g., RLCR 1635). 

See also: 10. DIMENSIONS

Signature, Inscriptions, Marks

The artist usually signed and dated his paintings on the canvas verso in charcoal and applied a spray fixative before sending it to a gallery or storage.  

Pre-Pop paintings are often signed or initialed on the recto in oil, or inscribed with the artist's name and other tombstone information on the stretcher or tacking margin. 

See also: 11. INSCRIPTIONS

Read more: Guide to the Catalogue
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Catalogue entry

Artwork: Modular Painting with Four Panels #3, 1969 (RLCR 1736)
RLCR 1736 (LC 538; RL 0190)
Modular Painting with Four Panels #3
1969
Title Source
RLF
Alternate titles and sources: Modular Painting with Four Panels III (RL Studio Photograph); Modular Painting with Four Panels, #3 (RL Studio Card); Modular Painting with Four Panels, No. 3 (Castelli)
Media
Acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas (four joined panels)
Dimensions
Overall: 108 x 108 in. (274.3 x 274.3 cm)
Each panel: 54 x 54 in. (137.2 x 137.2 cm) (approx.)
Inscriptions
Signed and dated top right panel verso, upper left: rf Lichtenstein / '69
By artist top left panel verso, upper left: PANEL #2 / OF 4 PANELS; top right panel verso, upper left: PANEL #1 / OF 4 PANELS; bottom left panel verso, upper left: PANEL #4 / OF 4 PANELS; bottom right panel verso, upper left: PANEL #3 / OF 4 PANELS. Top left panel stretcher: 2; top right panel stretcher: [diagram indicating order of panels] / REAR / VIEW; bottom left panel stretcher: 4; bottom right panel stretcher: 3
Related Works
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Provenance
Collection David Lichtenstein (artist gift)
Exhibitions
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Roy Lichtenstein, September 19–November 9, 1969 (Waldman 1969, no. 57 p. 65 b/w ill. [as 4 Panel Modular 4]). Traveled to: William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Art and Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts, Kansas City, Missouri, December 18, 1969–January 16, 1970; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, February 7–March 22, 1970; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, April 10–May 17, 1970; Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts, Columbus, Ohio, July 9–August 30, 1970.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia, Twelve American Painters, September 30–October 27, 1974 (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 1974, p. 44 b/w ill.).
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Extended Loan, October 5, 1977–July 20, 1982, 629.77.A-.D
Parrish Art Museum, Southampton, New York, Roy Lichtenstein: Paintings, August 8–September 19, 1982.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, Extended Loan, December 1, 1998–October 1, 2010, LPS.047.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, Roy Lichtenstein: A Tribute, January 16–April 25, 1999.
Literature
Ashton, Dore. "New York Commentary." Studio International 178, no. 916 (November 1969), no. 1 p. 176 b/w ill.
Calas, Nicolas. "Roy Lichtenstein: Insight through Irony." Arts Magazine (New York) 44, no. 1 (September–October 1969), p. 31 b/w ill. (upside down).
Kozloff, Max. "Lichtenstein at the Guggenheim." Artforum 8, no. 3 (November 1969), p. 44 color ill.
Crespo, Ángel. Roy Lichtenstein y el arte pop. Mayagüez: Universidad de Puerto Rico, 1970. Exhibition catalogue (1970 Mayagüez Universidad de Puerto Rico), no. 40 n.p. b/w ill. (as Modular Painting with 4 Panels), [not exhibited].
Crespo, Ángel. "Roy Lichtenstein y el arte pop." Revista de arte/The Art Review (Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez), no. 5 (June 1970), no. 40 p. 35 b/w ill. (as Modular Painting with 4 Panels).
Waldman, Diane. Roy Lichtenstein. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1971, no. 181 n.p. color ill.
Coplans, John, ed. Roy Lichtenstein. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1972, no. IX n.p. preceding p. 153 color ill.
Bader, Graham, ed. Roy Lichtenstein. October Files 7. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2009, p. 63 b/w ill. (sideways).
Richard Gray Gallery, New York and Chicago. Roy Lichtenstein: Modern Paintings. New York and Chicago: Richard Gray Gallery, 2010. Exhibition catalogue (2010 New York Gray), no. 4 p. 59 color ill. [not exhibited].
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Entry Updated October 23, 2023