The Seasons (Spring) [trial proof A] 1987

This trial proof, "The Seasons (Spring)," by Jasper Johns, presents us with a constellation of symbols, rendered with the starkness of cultural memory. Note the prominent silhouette of a figure. This motif echoes the classical contrapposto, yet it is rendered here as a flat, almost spectral form. It reminds us of the figures from ancient Greek vases. Below, geometric shapes overlay the form of the human body, evoking the Renaissance interest in human anatomy. Now, consider how Johns uses these shapes. Are they purely formal, or do they also serve as a reminder of the human form’s inherent connection with the geometric order of the cosmos? It's as if the image itself becomes a stage for a psychological drama. Through these symbols, Johns invites us to reflect on how cultural memory shapes our perception and how artists, across time, recycle motifs, continuously seeking to find new meaning.