Green Angel 2 [trial proof XIV] 1997

This is Jasper Johns' "Green Angel 2", a trial proof print made using etching, aquatint, and direct bite. The history of printmaking has always been tied to industry. Here, we see an artist engaging with a process that allows for reproducibility and distribution, traditionally rooted in the rise of mass media. The texture achieved through aquatint gives a grainy, almost photographic feel, while the direct bite technique results in more gestural, immediate marks. Look closely at the amount of work involved to create such a nuanced surface! This artwork is a 'trial proof', a stage in the printmaking process that is usually kept private. It is an innately iterative method, where the artist can assess the work and make adjustments to the plate before making a final print. By showing this experimental stage, Johns is emphasizing the value of craft in fine art. He invites us to consider the labor involved in production, and blurs the lines between the unique art object and the multiple.