Jasper Johns (born 1930) is a pivotal figure in 20th-century American art. Emerging in the 1950s, Johns played a central role in the transition from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art. His early works, such as "Flag" and "Target," became iconic symbols of the era. Johns challenged the prevailing artistic norms by reintroducing recognizable imagery into his art, incorporating everyday objects and symbols. His style, often associated with Neo-Dadaism, embraced a meticulous attention to detail, incorporating rich textures and a restrained color palette. Johns' groundbreaking approach had a profound impact on the art world, questioning traditional notions of representation and abstraction.

 

Jasper Johns was closely associated with contemporaries like Robert Rauschenberg, and together, they laid the foundation for the Neo-Dada and Pop Art movements. His early association with the abstract expressionist painter Robert Motherwell influenced his understanding of art and its relationship with personal expression. Johns' works have been extensively exhibited in major museums and institutions worldwide. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., are among the institutions that have showcased his pieces. Additionally, the Museum Ludwig in Cologne and the Tate Modern in London house significant collections of Jasper Johns' groundbreaking and influential oeuvre.