False Start I

Jasper Johns's "False Start I" is a vibrant lithograph from 1962, a pivotal year in his career. Johns, an American painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker, is often associated with Neo-Dada and Pop Art, movements that challenged the prevailing Abstract Expressionism of the time. This work exemplifies his exploration of everyday objects and symbols, pushing the boundaries of what could be considered art. The title itself, "False Start I," hints at a process of beginning, re-evaluating, and perhaps even playfully subverting traditional artistic expectations. Johns was known for his innovative printmaking, and this lithograph, with its eleven colors, showcases his mastery of the medium and his deliberate, layered approach to composition. It offers a fascinating glimpse into his ongoing investigation of perception, language, and the act of painting itself.