Figure 8

The color lithograph, Figure 8, was executed in 1969 through a significant collaboration involving artist Jasper Johns, master printers James Webb, Richard Wilke, John Dill, and Charles Ritt, and the renowned Los Angeles publisher, Gemini G.E.L. Printed on high-quality Arjomari wove paper, this work exemplifies the complex technical demands of fine art prints produced during the height of the printmaking renaissance in the United States.

This period, falling within the pivotal years of 1951 to 1975, saw American printmaking studios achieve new heights of technical sophistication, particularly through innovative partnerships like the one facilitated by Gemini G.E.L. Johns frequently utilized common signs and symbols-flags, targets, and numbers-transforming these simple icons into objects of intense artistic inquiry. The lithographic process afforded the artist a unique opportunity to explore layering, texture, and registration, key elements in his long-term deconstruction of visual representation. G.E.L., as the publisher, was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what was achievable in large-format color prints during this era.

The precise contribution of the master printers highlights the essential collaborative structure necessary for producing high-quality editioned works. The resulting print demonstrates a meticulous approach to color application, distinguishing it within Johns’s extensive graphic output. This piece not only records the visual investigation of the numeral "8" but also documents the highly technical process involved in its realization. As a vital contributor to post-war American art, the work confirms the crucial role of collaboration between artist and technician. This specific edition of the work resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., cementing its status as an important graphic achievement from the time. While copyrighted by the artists and publisher, the influence of these iconic prints remains widespread, impacting subsequent generations of artists working across various media.