Untitled [tracing] 1997

Jasper Johns's "Untitled [tracing]" is a 1997 drawing executed in graphite on paper. The work exemplifies Johns's signature exploration of line and form, showcasing a series of interconnected, abstract shapes that seem to float and overlap across the composition. Johns is known for his use of everyday objects as subjects in his art, and this drawing suggests that the artist may have traced a pre-existing source material, such as a photograph or a three-dimensional object. The drawing's stark simplicity and subtle variations in line weight create a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting viewers to contemplate the source of the shapes and the artist's process in creating them.