Untitled 1995

This print was made by the American artist Jasper Johns, who was born in 1930. This image asks us to think about the status of images themselves. In the mid-20th century, art institutions were still dominated by ideas of originality and artistic genius. Johns emerged in opposition to these values by taking everyday, recognizable images and re-presenting them through painting and printmaking. In this print, Johns asks us to reflect on the historical associations we project on images. The rough, dark texture of the printmaking medium, coupled with the central image of a medieval-esque king on horseback, give the work a conservative feel. However, the nonsensical text along the bottom suggests a parodic attitude toward historical symbols of authority. Johns here adopts the artistic strategies of the Dada movement which questioned traditional art institutions. To further understand this artwork, we might delve into the history of printmaking and artistic movements in the 20th century. The meaning of art is always contingent on the social and institutional contexts in which it's made and received.