Green Angel [trial proof] 1991

Jasper Johns created this print, "Green Angel," and what strikes me is its raw, almost hesitant touch. It's a trial proof, so you feel the artist working through the image. There's such a sense of process here. Look at the stark contrast between the black ink and the bare paper. The diagonal strokes give it this restless energy, like the angel is struggling to break free. It reminds me of how Johns often incorporates everyday objects and images, but transforms them through his mark-making. The textures are alive with the ghost of the artist's hand. The way Johns lets the process show—the drips, the uneven lines—it's all part of the emotional punch. It's less about perfection and more about the act of creation itself. You know, this piece feels like a cousin to Rauschenberg’s combines. Both artists push the boundaries of what art can be. It leaves you pondering what we see, and how we see it, rather than giving easy answers.