Grey numbers (Jasper Johns)

Identification of Grey numbers by Jasper Johns

Grey numbers is an artwork by Jasper Johns. The subject of this piece is numbers. The composition is categorized within the Pop Art movement. It is also associated with Abstract Expressionism and Abstract (High Medieval) styles. The work focuses on the visual representation of numerals through a specific set of formal parameters.

Jasper Johns, an American painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker, created this work. The piece utilizes a grey color palette to organize its visual field. It belongs to a period in the artist's career where he moved toward using symbols that the mind already knows. This specific work focuses on the materiality of the medium and the way a symbol functions as a visual code.

The artwork is an encaustic on canvas. It presents a dense arrangement of shapes that relate to the theme of numbers. The visual language of the piece is defined by its relationship to both abstract and representational modes of expression. It exists as a study of how recognizable forms are perceived when they are layered and fragmented.

Composition and Visual Elements

The composition is a densely packed, abstract arrangement that resembles a chaotic crowd or a mass of figures. It is dominated by a palette of blue and grey shades. The surface is constructed from numerous small, roughly rectangular shapes with irregular edges. Within each of these individual blocks, there is a partial depiction of a human face; some of these features are clearly defined, while others appear obscured or fragmented. The overall structure lacks a clear focal point, forcing the eye to move across the entire surface of the work.

The visual style incorporates elements of Expressionism and Cubism. This is evident in the broken-down forms and the use of multiple perspectives within each rectangular block. The lines throughout the piece are predominantly rough and gestural, contributing to a sense of instability. The shapes are primarily rectangular, though their edges remain irregular. The arrangement is highly compressed, creating a two-dimensional representation that lacks a sense of depth or traditional perspective.

Technique and Material Application

The work is executed in encaustic on canvas. This process involves the application of pigment mixed with hot wax, which is then burned into the support. The artist meticulously crafts each shape by combining this encaustic wax with pigment. The resulting surface is thick and impastoed, characterized by a heavily layered application of paint. Broad brushstrokes and heavy impasto define the texture, creating a tactile surface that invites close observation.

The use of these materials produces an exceptionally durable and luminous finish. The physical depth of the layers contributes to the overall materiality of the piece. The texture appears dense, with the oil paint and wax creating a surface that is not flat but possesses a palpable, three-dimensional quality. This method emphasizes the physical presence of the medium itself.

Related Works by Jasper Johns

The artist's exploration of repetitive motifs and recognizable symbols is evident in several other compositions. In 1958, Johns created Target with Four Faces, which placed faces within a red field. This interest in layering and superimposing forms continued with the 1961 work 0 through 9, where the numbers 0 to 9 are layered on top of each other. This series of twelve works utilized heavy, multidirectional brushstrokes and impasto to blend color with the shapes of the numerals. Other works from this period include Figure 2, 1961–.

The artist also moved toward three-dimensional forms that mimicked everyday objects. In 1960, the Painted Bronze (Beer Cans) series was produced, consisting of sculptures cast in bronze and painted to resemble common items. Other catalog entries related to his practice include Map and Green Target. These works continue the investigation of how a viewer recognizes a shape and how that recognition changes when the surface is layered or fragmented.