Jasper Johns (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Johns can easily lay claim to the title of greatest living American artist, and polymath novelist/doctor Crichton here provides an indispensable overview of his career. Crichton has substantially expanded and revised his 1977 monograph on Johns to cover his latest work. Drawing on interviews with the often laconic artist as well as commentary from art historians, dealers, and friends, Crichton sketches Johns's creative processes and the development of his style. This accessible portrait of the artist's work is both insightful and enlightening, furnishing context for Johns's place in contemporary art. The extensive color and duotone photographs provide a nearly complete summation of Johns's career from the early 1950s through the present. Highly recommended for all art collections and larger public libraries.
Martin R. Kalfatovic, Smithsonian Inst. Libs., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Pairing the talents of a leading American artist and the author of Jurassic Park, a collection of intellectual works featuring the artist's use of puns, optical illusion, and embedded images is accompanied by analytical text.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams; Rev Sub edition (April 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810935155
• ISBN-13: 978-0810935150
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #476,754 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

Novelists have always loved artists, and artists have always loved novelists. They love and admire the other's talent, but--most important--they are not competitors. Crichton's love of Johns' work certainly comes forth, and Johns' seemed flattered that a best-selling novelist, and not an art professor, wanted to do a book on him. That mutual admiration underlies why this is such a solid book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably as good as possible--without being intrusive, January 24, 1999

By A Customer

The author well restrained himself from "digging into the painful childhood" that produced such an unusually remote "negator of impulses." He brought out the positive aspects of Johns personality--his ability to laugh at himself and not always to take himself too seriously. "His work is a constant negation of impulses" said the critic..."wouldn't you say so Jasper?" "NO" says Jasper, laughing. Jasper can laugh. That is nice. The author respected his need for privacy in his personal life. He presented a very difficult, complex personality with dignity, humor, and good taste.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably as good as possible--without being intrusive, January 23, 1999

By A Customer

The author well restrained himself from "digging into the painful childhood" that produced such an unusually remote "negator of impulses." He brought out the positive aspects of Johns personality--his ability to laugh at himself and not always to take himself too seriously. "His work is a constant negation of impulses" said the critic..."wouldn't you say so Jasper?" "NO" says Jasper, laughing. Jasper can laugh. That is nice. The author respected his need for privacy in his personal life. He presented a very difficult, complex personality with dignity, humor, and good taste.