Flag & Vase
Jasper Johns
Hover to zoom
Jasper Johns
Jasper Johns

Flag & Vase

13 1/2 x 10 inches
Jasper Johns

Flag & Vase (ULAE 284)

2001
Linoleum cut from five linoleum blocks cut by the artist on Kochi Natural Japanese paper
block: 6 x 4 inches
sheet: 13 1/2 x 10 inches
framed: 15 ¼ by 12 ¼ inches
edition: 20 with 7 AP's
signed & dated in pencil "J Johns 01" lower right numbered in pencil lower left published by Jasper Johns
printed at Low Road Studio by Doug Bennett & John Lund
© 2024 Jasper Johns / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

Literature To be included in the forthcoming update to: The Prints of Jasper Johns: A Catalogue Raisonne, ULAE, New York, Catalogue Reference ULAE 284

Museum Collections
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles

Jasper Johns Flags have been making headlines for six decades. Since the mid-1950's, Jasper Johns has created approximately 30 paintings, 14 prints, and 50 drawings with the Flag image. In addition to single Flags, Johns has created Flags within larger fields, multiple Flags and backward or vertical Flags.

THE EDURING LEGACY OF JASPER JOHNS ICONIC FLAGS

Since the mid-1950s, Jasper Johns has unfurled his artistic genius across approximately 30 paintings, 14 prints, and a staggering 50 drawings, all celebrating the evocative Flag image. But this isn't merely about Stars and Stripes; it's about the myriad ways Johns reinterprets this symbol.

Within this artistic tapestry, we encounter single Flags, each capturing a distinct facet of the American experience. Yet, Johns doesn't stop there; he invites us into larger fields, where Flags intermingle, sparking conversations about the individual and the collective. Multiple Flags grace his canvases, a poetic rendition of unity amidst diversity. And, ever the provocateur, there are backward and vertical Flags, inviting us to question the familiar. Among the 14 Jasper Johns Flags Prints, one image emerges as a resounding chorus—the red, white, and blue Flag, the quintessential American emblem, takes center stage in five prints, notably in "Flags I." It's here that Johns weaves his narrative, encapsulating the American dream in bold strokes of color and form.

In April 2016, Jasper Johns “Flags I” from 1973 (ULAE 128), a color screenprint from an edition of 65 impressions, seized the limelight at Christie’s New York., when it fetched an astounding $1,658,500, not merely surpassing, but doubling the low pre-sale estimate of $800,000 to $1,200,000. In that moment, we witnessed the enduring resonance of the flag as a symbol and the artist's unparalleled ability to imbue it with significance.

And then, in 2001, came "Flag & Vase," a masterpiece in its own right. Here, Johns infuses his iconic red-white-blue Flag into a Color Linocut in memorial for the victims of September 11th. It’s part of an exclusive edition of only 20 impressions, with seven Artist's Proofs—an embodiment of rarity and artistic innovation. On September 11th, 2001, a day etched into the nation's memory, the flag assumed new meaning. It became a symbol of resilience and unity, flying proudly in the face of adversity. Jasper Johns' Flags, with their enduring message of identity and unity, resonated more than ever. In conclusion, Jasper Johns' Flags are not mere symbols; they are a living narrative—a story of identity, exploration, and artistic brilliance. They beckon us to see the flag anew, to question its meaning, and to celebrate its enduring significance. In the hands of this artistic luminary, the flag transcends fabric and pigment, becoming a profound reflection of the American spirit—both timeless and ever-evolving. And on September 11th and beyond, it serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and unity in the face of adversity.

A selection of Flag Prints by Jasper Johns, including the enigmatic “Flag & Vase” from 2001 reside in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.—a testament to the artist’s enduring legacy.

Finally, an impression of Johns’ “Untitled" from 2001 embarked on a grand tour as part of the "An Art of Changes: Jasper Johns Prints, 1960–2018"> exhibit, curated by Joan Rothfuss for the Walker Art Center. This comprehensive showcase of 90 prints traversed esteemed institutions nationwide, from the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Michigan, the Tampa Museum of Art in Florida, and the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York. Jasper Johns' Flags, an ever-evolving narrative, captivated audiences throughout this remarkable journey.

In closing, Jasper Johns' Flags are not mere symbols; they're a narrative—a story of identity, exploration, and artistic brilliance. They beckon us to see the flag anew, to question its meaning, and to celebrate its enduring significance. In the hands of this artistic luminary, the flag transcends fabric and pigment, becoming a profound reflection of the American spirit—both timeless and ever-evolving.