Jasper Johns

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This extraordinary book pairs the talents of painter/sculptor/printmaker Jasper Johns and physician/novelist/filmmaker Michael Crichton. Since its initial release in 1977, it has been regarded as the definitive study of one of America's foremost living artists. This revised, expanded, and updated edition presents a modern classic. Johns is often referred to as an "artist's artist," known for his use of found objects and commonplace imagery that result in intellectually demanding works of unparalleled originality and beauty. His recent creations, featuring puns, optical illusions, and embedded images, have garnered intense critical attention. Crichton, renowned for his bestsellers like The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, utilizes his analytic skills and storytelling prowess to provide intimate insights into Johns' complex persona, supported by interviews with the artist, his dealers, and contemporary critics. He offers a sensitive critique of Johns' work, delving into the nature of artistic response. The book includes 186 black-and-white illustrations, featuring works by Johns and photographs of him, along with 231 paintings, prints, sculptures, and drawings that span his career, with 128 in duotone and 103 in full color, including six magnificent foldout pages.