8.7 Jasper Johns

Jasper Johns revolutionized art in the mid-20th century. Born in 1930, he moved to New York in 1948 to study art, later developing a unique style that blended abstract expressionism with everyday objects and imagery.

Johns' iconic works featuring flags, maps, and numbers challenged traditional art norms. His use of encaustic technique and incorporation of found objects paved the way for Pop Art and influenced generations of artists to come.

Life and artistic development

Childhood and early life

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• Born in 1930 in Augusta, Georgia and raised in South Carolina
• Showed early artistic talent and interest in drawing and painting
• Moved to New York City in 1948 to pursue art education

Artistic training and influences

• Studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York City
• Influenced by the abstract expressionist movement and artists like Robert Rauschenberg and Cy Twombly
• Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he worked as a clerk typist and developed an interest in maps, flags, and stenciled letters

Relationships with other artists

• Formed close friendships with Robert Rauschenberg and Merce Cunningham
• Collaborated with Andy Warhol on various projects and exhibitions
• Maintained a lifelong partnership with artist Robert Indiana

Signature artistic style

Abstract expressionist roots

• Early works showcased gestural brushstrokes and emphasis on process, similar to abstract expressionism
• Incorporated elements of chance and spontaneity in his compositions
• Used unconventional materials like encaustic and collage to create textured surfaces

Neo-Dada and Pop Art elements

• Incorporated everyday objects and imagery into his artworks, a key aspect of Neo-Dada and Pop Art
• Used recognizable symbols like flags, maps, and targets to challenge traditional notions of art
• Employed techniques like silkscreen printing and lithography, which were associated with commercial art production

Unique use of encaustic technique

• Pioneered the use of encaustic, a painting technique that involves mixing pigments with hot wax
• Created richly textured and layered surfaces by building up multiple layers of encaustic
• Incorporated collage elements like newspaper clippings, fabric, and found objects into the encaustic surface

Iconic works and motifs

Numbers and letters

• Created a series of paintings featuring stenciled numbers and letters in the 1950s and 1960s
• Used numbers and letters as abstract elements, often arranged in grid-like compositions
• Examples include "Figure 5" (1960) and "0 through 9" (1961)

Flags and maps

• Painted a series of American flags in the 1950s, which became some of his most recognizable works
• Used maps as a basis for abstract compositions, often incorporating collage elements and stenciled text
• Notable examples include "Flag" (1954-55) and "Map" (1961)

Targets and stenciled patterns

• Created a series of target paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s, featuring concentric circles in bright colors
• Used stencils to create repeating patterns and motifs in his paintings and prints
• Examples include "Target with Four Faces" (1955) and "Painted Bronze (Ale Cans)" (1960)

Artistic process and methods

Incorporation of everyday objects

• Used found objects and readymades in his sculptures and assemblages
• Incorporated objects like beer cans, light bulbs, and household items into his artworks
• Challenged traditional notions of art by elevating everyday objects to the status of fine art

Printmaking and lithography

• Experimented with various printmaking techniques throughout his career
• Created a series of lithographs in the 1960s featuring his signature motifs like numbers, letters, and flags
• Collaborated with master printers to push the boundaries of printmaking techniques

Sculpture and assemblage

• Created sculptural works using found objects and cast bronze
• Made a series of sculptures featuring light bulbs and flashlights in the 1960s
• Incorporated elements of painting and collage into his sculptural works

Impact on contemporary art

Challenging traditional notions of art

• Blurred the boundaries between fine art and commercial art by incorporating everyday objects and imagery
• Challenged the idea of the artist's hand by using techniques like silkscreen printing and stenciling
• Questioned the notion of originality by appropriating existing images and symbols

Influence on Pop Art movement

• Considered a precursor to the Pop Art movement of the 1960s
• Influenced artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein with his use of popular imagery and commercial techniques
• Helped pave the way for the incorporation of mass media and consumer culture into fine art

Legacy and lasting significance

• Recognized as one of the most important artists of the 20th century
• Continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists with his innovative techniques and challenging of traditional art norms
• Works are held in major museum collections worldwide and command high prices at auction

Critical reception and analysis

Initial controversy and debate

• Early works were met with mixed reactions from critics and the public
• Some viewed his use of everyday objects and commercial techniques as a rejection of traditional art values
• Others praised his innovative approach and challenging of established norms

Evolving interpretations over time

• Critical opinion of Johns' work has shifted and evolved over the decades
• Increasingly recognized for his contributions to the development of Pop Art and postmodernism
• Seen as a bridge between abstract expressionism and the art movements of the 1960s and beyond

Comparison to contemporaries

• Often compared to his close friend and collaborator Robert Rauschenberg
• Shared similarities with other Neo-Dada and Pop Art artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein
• Unique in his use of encaustic technique and incorporation of personal symbolism

Exhibitions and collections

Major solo exhibitions

• First solo exhibition at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York City in 1958
• Retrospectives at the Museum of Modern Art (1996) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2021)
• Represented the United States at the Venice Biennale in 1988

Representation in prominent museums

• Works held in major collections like the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago
• Represented in international collections like the Tate Modern in London and the Centre Pompidou in Paris
• Continues to be featured in major exhibitions and retrospectives worldwide

Notable private collections

• Collected by prominent private collectors like Victor and Sally Ganz, who were early supporters of Johns' work
• Works have been sold at auction for record-breaking prices, including "Flag" (1958), which sold for $36 million in 2010
• Continues to be highly sought after by private collectors and institutions