Jasper Johns Untitled (from The Artists for Obama Portfolio) 2008 Signed Etching Edition of 150

Artist: Jasper Johns (b. 1930)
Title: Untitled (from The Artists for Obama Portfolio)
Medium: Hard-Ground Etching and Spitbite Aquatint on Hahnemuhle Copperplate
Edition: 13/150 (aside from 14 artist's proofs and 7 printer's proofs)
Image Size: 3.25" x 7.75" (8 x 20 cm)
Sheet Size: 8.25" x 11.75" (21 x 30 cm)
Frame Size: 10.5" x 14.25" x 1.75"
Year: 2008
Inscription: Signed, dated, and numbered in pencil along lower margin: "13/150 Jasper Johns '08"
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

Jasper Johns's untitled 2008 etching and aquatint was created as part of The Artists for Obama Portfolio, a limited-edition collection produced in collaboration with the Democratic National Committee and Gemini G.E.L. This initiative brought together leading contemporary artists to support Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. The portfolio includes works by artists such as Ellsworth Kelly, John Baldessari, and Julie Mehretu, among others. Johns's contribution, signed and numbered "13/150" in pencil, exemplifies his mastery of printmaking techniques and his engagement with political themes.

The print features Johns's characteristic use of abstract forms and subtle textures, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between art and political expression. Printed on Hahnemuhle Copperplate paper, the piece measures 3.25 x 7.75 inches within an 8.25 x 11.75-inch sheet, making it a compact yet impactful work.

Untitled has been included in the permanent collections of several prestigious institutions, including The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Harvard Art Museums. At MoMA, it is part of The Artists for Obama Portfolio, which is featured in their online collection. The Harvard Art Museums also list it as part of their holdings, reflecting the work's significance within the context of contemporary American art and political engagement.

This work is accompanied by a Gallery Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its provenance and confirming its place as a notable example of Jasper Johns's contribution to politically engaged art.

About Jasper Johns

Jasper Johns (born May 15, 1930) is an influential American painter, sculptor, and printmaker known for revolutionizing contemporary art with his iconic use of everyday symbols and objects. Born in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in South Carolina, Johns later moved to New York City, where he became a central figure in the postwar American art scene.

Johns first gained international recognition in the 1950s for his paintings of familiar icons such as flags, numbers, targets, and maps. By transforming these commonplace images into compelling visual compositions, he challenged traditional notions of representation and abstraction. His approach bridged the gap between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, earning him a place among the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Throughout his career, Johns has worked across a wide range of media, including oil, encaustic, collage, and printmaking. His innovative techniques, particularly his use of encaustic—a mixture of pigment and wax—add depth and texture to his compositions, creating a tactile, layered effect that has become his signature style.

Johns' work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Tate Modern. He has received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Arts, and his pieces are highly sought after by collectors and museums alike.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Jasper Johns' work has had a lasting impact on contemporary art theory and practice. His exploration of perception, symbolism, and the boundaries between abstraction and representation continues to influence generations of artists.

Jasper Johns remains a pivotal figure in American contemporary art, celebrated for his inventive approach to familiar imagery and his enduring influence on painting, sculpture, and printmaking.