Untitled (LR#3) [trial proof, unused plate] 1999

This trial proof by Jasper Johns features a stark composition of black lines on a white ground, creating an interplay between positive and negative space. The fragmented forms suggest a representational subject, yet the linear abstraction pushes it towards the unreadable. Johns's emphasis on line and form invites us to consider the structural elements of representation itself. The bold lines dissect and define shapes, challenging our perception and destabilizing fixed meanings. Areas filled with dense, chaotic lines sit alongside more open and sparse sections, creating a visual tension that keeps the eye moving. The black rectangle on the left is not just a shape; it challenges the structural integrity of the composition. This print exemplifies how Johns uses the language of abstraction to question the boundaries between representation and pure form, leaving us to contemplate the very nature of seeing.