Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’ – Royal Academy: 23 September – 10 December 2017

Jasper Johns, False Start, 1959

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Best known for his early use of imagery from popular culture, Johns – now in his late 80’s – continues to remain at the forefront of the American art scene with works represented in nearly every major museum collection.

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Considered to having laid the foundation for both Pop Art and Minimalism, he is often described as a Neo-Dadaist, rather than a Pop Artist.  Johns was inspired by the Dada art movement to reject art which was created only to please the eye and focus instead on the mind.  His most famous work is the Flag, 1954-1955, a later version of which was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2014 for $36 million.  In 2006, his 1959 painting False Start (featured above) was bought for private collection for $80 million making it the most expensive painting by a living artist. 

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Apart from painting, Johns is also a renowned sculptor and print-maker.  His sculptors are usually of household objects such as beer cans and light bulbs.  His screen prints, etchings, lino cuts and lithography have revolutionized the field of prints and, along with Picasso, Rembrandt, Goya, Munch and Durer, Johns ranks as one of the finest print makers in history.

Further details of the Exhibition here