O is for Origin Story

(left to right) Lithography stone; 0 from Jasper Johns, 0–9, 1963. 10 lithographs, 20 5/8 x 15 1/2 in.; Jasper Johns, Target, 1960. Lithograph, 22 1/2 x 17 1/2 in; Both Johns prints published by Universal Limited Art Editions. John and Maxine Belger Foundation © Jasper Johns and ULAE / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.

(left to right) Lithography stone; 0 from Jasper Johns, 0–9, 1963. 10 lithographs, 20 5/8 x 15 1/2 in.; Jasper Johns, Target, 1960. Lithograph, 22 1/2 x 17 1/2 in; Both Johns prints published by Universal Limited Art Editions. John and Maxine Belger Foundation © Jasper Johns and ULAE / Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY.

I like that Jasper Johns looked at a blank lithography stone and decided the first image he would make with it was a zero. (I learned this fact on a recent staff tour of our current exhibition with Assistant Curator Renée Maurer.) It’s not difficult to imagine how a target came next–its basis is also a circle, also a symbol, but instead of quantifying nothingness, a target represents a very specific goal. Giotto famously demonstrated his artistic prowess  by drawing a perfect circle without the aid of a compass. By beginning his printmaking career with the continuous, curved shape of infinity–first zeroed out, then honed in–Johns inscribed seemingly limitless potential.

Cecilia Wichmann, Publicity and Marketing Manager

Inside the Printmaker’s Studio

This evening, a sold-out audience will look on as master printer Scip Barnhart demonstrates basic printmaking techniques on view in the exhibition Jasper Johns: Variations on a Theme. Barnhart, who teaches printmaking, art of the book, and drawing at Georgetown University and is director of Union Printmakers Atelier, created a limited edition print for the occasion. He printed one for each participant and hung them up to dry in his studio last week, then sent us this photo.

Photo of master printer Scip Barnhart's studio where prints (lithograph) are drying

Special edition prints (lithograph) drying in the studio. Photo: Scip Barnhart

Special edition prints (intaglio) drying in the studio. Photo: Scip Barnhart

Special edition prints (intaglio) drying in the studio. Photo: Scip Barnhart