Customer Reviews

Jasper Johns: An Allegory of Painting, 1955-1965

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Published to accompany an exhibition held at the National Gallery in Washington (and later at the Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland) and concentrating on the pivotal decade 1955-1965 when Johns produced his most famous works, this catalogue is worth it mainly because of the quality of the illustrations. So much has been written on Johns's art that it is sometimes refreshing to be able to pause in front of his works and just enjoy them for their pure pictorial quality (color, texture...). This book enables you to do just that. Then if you want to read the text, you will find it well written, clever (especially at the end of the book, where paintings are analysed and interpreted one by one and in detail), sometimes a bit far-fetched, but just like everything else I know which has dealt with Johns's art (see Chrichton, Varnedoe,etc...).

An excellent and broad-spectrum catalog of an exhibit based on a seminal decade, 1955-1965, in Jasper Johns' career. Writers analyze diverse aspects of these early years of Johns' career that established him as one of the great figures in modern art and stimulated much in art created by others. I especially enjoyed the essays by artist and critic Robert Morris and conservation expert Carol Mancusi-Ungaro. Excellent reproductions of the works shown in the exhibit.

This is a wonderful book to add to any art library. Although I have yet to read all the bio, the parts I have begun are nicely written. There is even some photo reference to how he created these works, pinned to the wall.

Jasper Johns (born 1930)is an important American painter who is variously said to belong to the Minimalist, Pop Art or Neo-Dadaist schools. This catalogue presents paintings from the first decade of his creative output. Although Johns presently continues to paint, his output is minimal and his works attract very high prices. One painting has sold for $80 million, making it supposedly the most valuable art work by a living painter.

I bought this book in an attempt to expand my horizons; my interests generally lie in art and music "from the olden days" (as my children like to say). The many color illustrations of Johns's earlier works are very well reproduced and the printing quality of the book is a pleasure in itself. I must admit that the paintings-targets, letters, numbers, hand paintings and such like- are interesting to examine but ultimately fail to move or excite me. But I am pleased to have this book. I am sure there is more to Johns than meets my eyes and he certainly has more substance and intelligence that many other modern artists. The fact that he possesses and admires Cezanne's paintings is an additional feather in his cap.

I found the articles often riddled with obscure artspeak; trying to make head or tail of the writing required great concentration. Why is writing about modern art so frequently prolix and complicated? Sometimes I just gave up and looked at the pictures!

This book is gorgeous in its color, close-ups, and perspectives on Mr. Johns, but perhaps "Mr. Johns's temper" would flair when he realizes throughout the book he'd find "Mr. Johns' temper." Perhaps a global spell-check changed everything reflecting Mr. Johns's last name, but gee-wiz what a horrible annoyance. I was stunned this would happen through the auspices of the National Gallery in Washington. Perhaps President Bush had a night job editing this text while reading his 60 books a year?