Jasper Johns
JASPER JOHNS "SUMMER BLUE" LITHOGRAPH, 1991
Jasper Johns (b.1930) is one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. He had a major influence on the trajectory of American post-war art, encouraging the demise of Abstract Expressionism and the introduction of Pop Art.
In the 1950's, Johns rose to prominence with his unconventional painting approach and his embrace of figuration. He appropriated and depicted, everyday objects and simple schema like maps, targets, letters, and numbers. These banal and ubiquitous elements were frequently encountered in daily life, but irrelevant to art. By repeatedly presenting these motifs, Johns turned them into a continuous series. Johns helped usher representation back into the avant-garde, leading to the rise of Pop Art, which embraced everyday objects.
"Summer (Blue)" stems from Johns' series of four large encaustic paintings titled "The Seasons" which debuted at the famed Leo Castelli Gallery (NYC) in 1987. Each painting was named after one of the four seasons and mixed cultural artifacts with seasonal symbols of growth, life, and death. Click here for the original exhibition review of "The Seasons" by the New York Times.
This body of work was both allegorical and highly personal. Johns appears in the work as the filled-in silhouette alongside an outstretched arm and hand pointing to the progress of the year and the stage of the man's (Johns') life. Notice the thin, light-colored branch with a tiny hummingbird perched on it.
In the left panel, Mona Lisa's mysterious gaze signals John's affinity for Leonardo da Vinci (and appropriation). Surrounding her are two of Johns' favorite motifs: the American flag and cross-hatching patterns. (Click here to see another example of Johns' signature cross-hatching.)
Also appearing in the image are vessels created by American potter George Ohr (1857-1918). Ohr's ground-breaking practice led him to be considered a precursor to American Expressionism.
Lastly, there is a tiny and ambiguous seahorse. These sea creatures defy heteronormative gender roles, as the males typically become impregnated and give birth. To Johns, a gay man, this tiny creature could carry important challenges to traditional narratives of gender and sexuality.
"Summer(Blue)" is an outstanding example of John's signature hybrid of figuration and abstraction. Examples of "Summer" hang in the permanent collections of the Met Museum, MoMa, and the Tate.
Johns' works are highly sought-after by collectors around the world and regularly sell for millions of dollars at auction. In 2010 one of Johns' paintings sold for an astonishing $110 million. He has regularly been considered the most valuable living artist.
Additional images available on request.
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720
"Summer (Blue)"
USA, 1991
Lithograph
Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil by the artist
From an edition of 225
9.5"H 6.3"W (image)
16.12"H 11.25"W (sheet)
19"H 13.75"W (framed)
Very good condition.
Printer: Universal Limited Art Editions, New York
- Where does the inventory ship from?
Our inventory is divided between New York and Toronto.
- Where do you ship to?
We can ship anywhere. Typically when we ship within North America we prefer to use FedEx or DHL. To Europe, Asia and beyond we generally use DHL.
- How much does it cost to ship?
For shipments within North America, we typically charge a flat rate fee. Many items on our site will list the rate. For shipping outside of North America, we can easily provide a quote and will look for the most efficient and economical option.
Most of the items on our site can be easily shipped internationally.
Occasionally we will recommend that an artwork be removed from its frame for shipping. Larger framed works are typically framed with plexiglass. We export over 80% of what we sell, so we are comfortable shipping anywhere.
- Are there additional taxes or fees?
When a work is valued above $2,500 usd there is a possibility of tax of 0.35%, but this is applied sporadically. There can similarly be an additional fee for customs brokerage and this can range from $20 - $65. US Taxes, duties and customs brokerage are not included in our flat rate shipping. However most of our shipments to the US enter without any additional fees.
- Do you provide a certificate of authenticity?
Yes, we guarantee everything we sell. We can provide both a digital and printed version of our certificate of authenticity.
What is your return policy?
- Caviar20 wants you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase. We have a 7 day no-questions full refund return policy for your purchase. Shipping charges are non-refundable. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. After 8 days returns are given a credit note. There is no expiration for our credit notes.
- What payment methods do you accept?
Canadian clients are welcomed and encouraged to pay with interac.