Figure 6

"Figure 6," created in 1969, is a sophisticated color lithograph on Arjomari wove paper, resulting from a unique collaboration involving the artist Jasper Johns, technical specialists James Webb, Richard Wilke, and Charles Ritt, and the legendary workshop, Gemini G.E.L. This work stands as a key example of the technical innovation that characterized American printmaking during the period 1951 to 1975. The complex color lithography used in this piece demonstrates the advanced capabilities of the G.E.L. workshop, which was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of graphic arts production in the late 1960s.

The piece is situated within Johns's enduring fascination with numerical and alphabetical forms, where mundane symbols are transformed into potent subjects for formal and abstract inquiry. The careful rendering of the numeral "6" showcases his nuanced attention to surface texture and layered composition, qualities highly valued in early G.E.L. productions. The partnership between Johns and the master printers at G.E.L. (Graphics Editions Limited) allowed for an unprecedented level of control over color and registration, resulting in a work that blurs the traditional lines between painting and prints.

This collaborative approach was emblematic of the era, reflecting the increasing professionalization of the art workshop environment. The technical specialists involved ensured that Johns’s demanding vision was met with the highest standard of lithographic execution. This significant print captures the experimental energy of the 1960s art scene, contributing crucial visual data to the study of modern American abstraction.

The scarcity and superior quality of these early G.E.L. prints ensure their continued art historical significance. This work is a crucial part of the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, contributing to the museum's extensive holdings of modern and contemporary prints by influential artists.