Roy Lichtenstein's Modern Paintings series, created between 1966 and 1971, marked a significant shift in his artistic direction. During this period, Lichtenstein moved away from the comic strip and brushstroke themes that had brought him to prominence in the early 1960s. Instead, he embarked on a journey through a series of compositions that are challenging to categorize but are deeply infused with elements of Pop Art and Art Deco.

The Modern Paintings series is notable for its exploration of architectural structures, geometric shapes, and lines, alongside motifs borrowed from the Art Deco movement. Lichtenstein incorporated his iconic Ben Day dots along with these new elements, rendering images that both attract and perplex the viewer. This body of work includes more than 60 paintings, alongside accompanying drawings, illustrating Lichtenstein's broadened artistic exploration during these years.

One of the works from this period, "Modular Painting with Four Panels, No. 7," created in 1970, exemplifies Lichtenstein's parody of the Art Deco style. The painting draws inspiration from the geometric styles of the 1930s, such as those found in ocean liner lounges and theater foyers. By using mechanical shapes and the comic strip vocabulary of benday dots and stenciled shapes outlined in black, Lichtenstein comments on the postwar commercial imagery explosion, recognizing it as a significant cultural force.

"Preparedness," another notable work from 1968, showcases Lichtenstein's departure from his previous subject matters, focusing on Art Deco architecture and design. The painting echoes the optimistic yet naive spirit of the 1930s, drawing on the era's socio-political messages and aesthetics. By employing his signature techniques, Lichtenstein's work makes a loaded statement about the period and its socio-political messages, cleverly integrating themes of machinery and soldiers to critique the military-industrial complex and the optimistic calls to action characteristic of the time.

The Modern Paintings series stands as a testament to Lichtenstein's ability to adapt and evolve his art, moving beyond his early Pop Art successes to embrace and critique broader cultural and historical themes. This phase of his work offers a nuanced look at the intersection of art, culture, and history, providing viewers with a rich field of visual and thematic exploration​ (Richard Gray Gallery)​​ (Cranbrook Art Museum)​​ (Roy Lichtenstein)​.