Scent © Jasper Johns 1975 
Jasper Johns
73 works
Jasper Johns is a pivotal figure in Post-War Contemporary art, playing a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the era. His most sought-after works are marked by the innovative use of recognisable symbols and motifs. This buyer’s guide offers an in-depth look at Johns' print market, exploring his various series and the best resources available for authentication.
Why Collect Jasper Johns?
Johns' print market is both diverse and complex, reflecting the artistic currents that shaped New York's art scene during his era. Since the 1960s, Johns has published over 300 editions across multiple printmaking techniques, including lithography, etching, aquatint, and silkscreen. His prints were pivotal in the American Post-War print boom and remain highly regarded as some of the most innovative achievements in modern printmaking. Like his paintings, Johns' prints explore everyday symbols–flags, numbers, maps–transforming them into conceptual studies of perception and depth. Each print series represents his ability to merge traditional techniques with avant-garde ideas. For collectors, acquiring a Johns print offers not only artistic prestige but also a piece of cultural history, making it a valuable and meaningful addition to any collection.
Starting A Jasper Johns Collection
Early Lithographic Works
Johns first ventured into printmaking in the 1960s through a collaboration with Tatyana Grosman at Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE). Early works like Target (ULAE 1) (1960) and 0 Through 9 (1960) allowed him to experiment with lithography, exploring his fascination with repetition, materiality, and the process of making corrections and adjustments to lithographic plates. In 0 Through 9, Johns drew all the numbers on the same lithographic stone, reinforcing the concept of transmutation and reflecting his interest in the physicality of printmaking and how it shapes the structure of the work.
Johns' introduction to multicoloured works was marked by a primary colour palette–red, yellow, and blue. This phase began with lithography and showcased the vibrant use of these colours, as seen in False Start I (ULAE 9) (1962). This piece mirrors the complexity of brushstrokes, with stencilled colour names placed over the abstract backdrop, marking a departure from his earlier motifs like numbers and targets, shifting towards a more conceptual exploration of language of symbols.
Screenprinting
Equally important was Painting With Two Balls I (1962), first produced as a lithograph and later reinterpreted as a screenprint in 1971. While screenprinting offers less texture compared to other techniques, it allowed Johns greater flexibility and speed, enabling him to experiment with broader colour distribution. Through the layering of pigments and physical manipulation of the printing medium, Johns achieved a distinct depth and vibrancy in his work. This process marked a significant turning point in his printmaking, ultimately pushing his creative exploration of colour and form to new heights combining technical experimentation with conceptual depth.
Crosshatch Technique
In the mid-1970s, Johns began incorporating crosshatch motifs into his screenprinting technique, with early evidence seen in works like Target (ULAE 147) (1974). This piece retained a broad, consistent colour application while subtly integrating texture. His Flags series, including Flags I and Flags II (1973), further explored crosshatching through layered colours, with green and orange hues emerging beneath the dominant red, white, and blue of the American flag. These works, from the early 1970s, are now among Johns’ most valuable pieces on the market due to their innovative use of colour and texture.
By the late 1970s, Johns had mastered the fusion of abstraction with recognisable symbols, as exemplified by works like the Savarin prints, which feature various interpretations of a paint can set against a crosshatched background, reworked through the same screen. Similarly, in The Dutch Wives, a diptych, Johns incorporates a small, ambiguous target–one of his signature motifs–subtly layered over crosshatching, demonstrating his nuanced blend of familiar imagery with abstract techniques. In his later prints, such as the Usuyuki and Cicada series, created in collaboration with Simca Print Artists in the early 1980s, Johns used custom screens to achieve smooth colour transitions and a collage-like texture. This innovation added complexity, depth, and uniqueness to these pieces, enhancing their visual impact.
Is Jasper Johns A Good Investment?
While Johns is best known for his paintings, he was equally committed to printmaking, approaching it with the same curiosity and dedication. His prints are not exact reproductions of his paintings, of his painted works; rather, they share the same conceptual depth and recurring motifs, like flags and targets, while also exploring the unique qualities and possibilities of printmaking. Initially hesitant, Johns eventually mastered printmaking making it a key part of his artistic repertoire.
Though his original paintings can sell for millions, Johns’ prints offer a more accessible entry point for collectors. Despite market fluctuations, several of his prints–such as Ale Cans, False Start II, and 0 Through 9–have shown positive returns in 2024. These pieces have demonstrated increased liquidity in his print market, with notable gains even over a short holding period of just 1 to 2 years.
What Are Some Popular Jasper Johns Prints Among Collectors?
Johns always referred to the printmaking process as a way to “explore mediums.” His most valuable prints on the market are his unique monotype works, as well as his Flags series, renowned for their iconic status, which has become synonymous with Johns' artistic legacy. Below are three of Johns' top-selling prints on the market:
Untitled (1983): This piece is one of 18 unique monotypes created by Johns in 1983, showcasing his mastery of the crosshatching technique. In this series, Johns uses intersecting lines to create rich shading, depth, and texture with remarkable precision. Working with mylar plates rather than traditional glass surfaces, Johns faced the challenge of controlling fluid ink to maintain consistent lines and spacing–a demanding task in monotype printing. With its eight-foot span Johns' needed to prepare several mylar plates to pass through the printing press. With Johns' signature primary colour palette, this work fetched £1.8 million at Sotheby’s in 2018.
Flags I: Johns' most iconic symbol, the American flag, is one he revisited repeatedly throughout his artistic career, reinterpreting it through various mediums. This multicoloured diptych departs from the typical flat colour associated with the screenprinting process, instead presenting a deceptively textured surface that adds depth and dimension. These works are among the highest valued in Johns' print market, with the record result achieving £1.1 million at Christie’s in April 2016.
Savarin: Blending his signature crosshatching motif with the paintbrush-filled Savarin can, this extremely limited work has its origins in a series of proofs initially created for the 1981 lithograph edition of the same subject (ULAE 220). These proofs were rejected due to variations in paper tone. While many artists might have destroyed the proofs, Johns, ever the innovator, revisited the lithographic plate and used it for a series of monotypes. This particular piece is a lithographic monotype impression, one of two, and sold for £1.2 million at Sotheby’s.
How To Authenticate Jasper Johns Art
Authenticating a Johns print involves several steps that focus on verifying the print’s edition number, signature, publisher, and provenance. One of the most critical factors is ensuring the print aligns with the edition size and number. Johns is known for numbering his prints, usually found in the lower left-hand corner, along with his signature, which is typically in the lower right. Ensuring that the edition number matches those officially listed for the series is essential. Prints that belong to limited editions, such as his well-known Flags or Numbers series, will have an exact edition size and typically display a fraction (e.g., “23/50”), indicating its number within the edition.
Jasper Johns Print Publishers
The role of the publisher is equally important in authentication. Johns worked closely with specific publishers throughout his career, starting with Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE), founded by Tatyana Grosman, which produced some of his earliest print editions. Johns also collaborated with Gemini G.E.L. in Los Angeles for several important works, and some of his most sought-after Usuyuki prints were created in partnership with Simca Print Artists. Additionally, from 1975 to 1990, Johns' print works were published by Petersburg Press at Atelier Crommelynck in Paris, the same studio responsible for some of Pablo Picasso’s most renowned prints.
These collaborations with top-tier printmakers and publishers played a critical role in the production and authentication of Johns' works.The publisher’s mark or blind stamp will be embossed or printed on the piece, providing a vital sign for authentication. Verifying the involvement of one of these well-known publishers is key, as they played an integral role in overseeing the production of authentic Johns prints. Doing so requires in-depth research or expertise in the field. If you are ever unsure it is always advisable to seek guidance.
Jasper Johns Sharon Connecticut Estate
Johns was born in 1930 and is currently 94 years old. While Johns nor his Sahorn Connecticut estate authenticate his artworks, in 2017 news broke that he would turn his Sharon, Connecticut home, which currently operates as his studio, into an artists retreat providing a live workspace for working artists serving as a communal retreat that will operate as a charitable organisation.
Jasper Johns Catalogue Raisonné
The most definitive resource for verifying the authenticity of Johns' prints is his catalogue raisonné. Given Johns' prolific career and extensive body of work, it's crucial to reference the correct catalogue raisonné for the appropriate medium. The most recent additions to his catalogue portfolio include two volumes: one dedicated to his unique monotype prints and another focused on his drawings. Additionally, there is a catalogue raisonné specifically covering Johns' prints created between 1960 and 1993. These comprehensive volumes are typically available in major libraries and serve as the authoritative source for verifying a work’s legitimacy.
In addition to consulting the catalogue raisonné, it’s essential to review any provenance documentation or a certificate of authenticity (COA) from recognised experts or reputable galleries to further confirm a print’s authenticity. These resources provide a thorough understanding of Johns' works and help ensure you are acquiring an authentic piece.
How To Check The Condition Of A Jasper Johns Print
When purchasing a Jasper Johns print, the condition of the artwork is essential for preserving its market value. It's important to check for environmental signs of wear and damage, such as warping, fading, or discolouration, which can occur over time due to factors like moisture or exposure to sunlight. UV rays, in particular, can significantly degrade pigments and paper, so it's crucial to inspect for fading caused by direct sunlight.
If the print is framed, it's always recommended to see it removed from the frame so you can examine the back and look for any damage due to improper mounting. With Johns' prints, one specific area to pay attention to is the margins. Johns was highly experimental with his printmaking techniques, often manipulating the edges of his prints to create a balance between the printed and unprinted areas. This experimentation sometimes led to unconventional paper choices. Damage or alterations to the margins by collectors–whether from improper framing, trimming, or folding to achieve a certain balance other than intended–can greatly diminish both the value and the visual integrity of the print.
Where Can I Buy A Jasper Johns Print In 2024?
Whether you're an experienced collector or purchasing your first Johns print, it's crucial to work with a reliable source. While galleries and auction houses are reputable choices, they often come with high premiums, sometimes reaching up to 25%.
At MyArtBroker, our brokers offer the same level of trust and expertise you'd expect from a specialist, with the added convenience of buying online at fair market prices. We can help you purchase a Johns print from our extensive international network of sellers and assist with verifying provenance, authenticity, and the condition of the artwork to ensure a confident and informed purchase.
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A Dedicated Expert
At MyArtBroker, we offer a seamless and trusted service by directly connecting buyers with sellers through our online Trading Floor. We prioritise transparency, working closely with our sales specialists to help you find the right piece and ensure you purchase it at fair market value, reflecting current conditions. Johns prints can be excellent for diversifying collections, adding a blue chip name from a pivotal Post-War artist who had a major influence on the 1960s New York art scene. Our team provides support throughout the buying process, verifying provenance, working with trusted contacts to authenticate the work, and conducting condition checks to give you confidence in your purchase. Additionally, we organise delivery, ensuring a smooth and convenient online transaction.
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With a growing network of over 30,000 collectors, dealers, and galleries worldwide, MyArtBroker is well-positioned to help buyer's find their desired piece outside of peak auction season. Our website attracts more than 75,000 monthly visitors, offering insights on market updates, auction results, and detailed reports on Johns', and other blue chip artists works, making us a competitive resource for buying, selling and market insights, keeping you informed of the latest trends and news.
Whether you're seeking rare to the market Johns prints or want to sell, MyArtBroker directly connects trusted buyers and sellers.
Jasper Johns
73 works
