Figure 5 [artist's proof]

The print Figure 5 [artist's proof] was created in 1969 by Jasper Johns in collaboration with master printers Charles Ritt, Richard Wilke, James Webb, and Daniel Freeman, published through the renowned workshop Gemini G.E.L. This significant American work is classified as a color lithograph, executed with technical precision on Arjomari wove paper.

As an artist's proof, this specific impression provides rare insight into the creative and technical process, showcasing the precise color registration and layering techniques mastered by the G.E.L. workshop staff. Johns, a pivotal figure in American art during the period 1951 to 1975, continually focused his attention on numerical and alphabetical systems, transforming common symbols into complex, semi-abstract visual objects.

The subject, the numerical digit ‘5,’ is rendered through dense, layered color and fragmented line work, challenging the viewer's perception of simple representation. This systematic exploration of everyday iconography positioned Johns at the forefront of the movements bridging Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, deeply influencing subsequent generations of artists working in print media.

The collaborative environment fostered by G.E.L. was crucial for pushing the boundaries of lithography in the late 1960s. This piece exemplifies the technical sophistication and philosophical depth achieved in American prints during the mid-twentieth century. Housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, this lithograph is a vital document of Johns’s sustained commitment to examining and reinterpreting foundational signs, ensuring the artwork’s lasting place in the history of post-war graphic innovation.