0 through 9
(ULAE 190), 1977

color lithograph from 4 aluminum plates on La Paloma handmade paper
image: 6 x 4 7/8 inches
paper: 9 3/8 x 7 3/4 inches
frame: 18 x 16 inches
edition: 60 with 15 AP's
signed, dated "Jasper Johns '77" and numbered in pencil
published by Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles with their blindstamp
Gemini G.E.L. inkstamp and workshop number "JJ77-842" on the verso
© 2024 Jasper Johns / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

Literature
Judith Goldman, Jasper Johns Prints 1977-1981, Thomas Segal Gallery, Boston, MA, 1981, Segal 4, n.p., another impression reproduced full page color.
Richard Field, The Prints of Jasper Johns 1960-1993: A Catalogue Raisonne, ULAE, New York, 1994, Catalogue Reference ULAE 190, n.p., another impression reproduced in full page color.

Selected Museum Collections
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas
National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
National Gallery of Art, Australia
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

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Additional Photos

John's use of conventional things such as flags or targets and his use of non-hierarchical systems such as the alphabet or numbers formed the basic subject matter of his art during the 1950s. By superimposing each number on top of the other in 0 Through 9 however, Johns has developed his painterly subversion of these progressive systems further and to the point where the logical progression of the numbers 0 to 9 becomes self-defeating.

JASPER JOHNS 0 THROUGH 9

John's use of conventional things such as flags or targets and his use of non-hierarchical systems such as the alphabet or numbers formed the basic subject matter of his art during the 1950s. By superimposing each number on top of the other in 0 Through 9 however, Johns has developed his painterly subversion of these progressive systems further and to the point where the logical progression of the numbers 0 to 9 becomes self-defeating.

Jasper Johns 0 Through 9 1961

At the same time, the logical sequence of numbers - one on top of the other - has become a visual as well as an historical record of Johns' painterly process. Beginning with the number ‘0’ and working through the sequence to the point where the painting of number "9" completes the image, this process allows Johns to build up the color layers through a series of lithographic plates. At each stage, Johns is forced to make a certain number of additions and yet at the same time is free - due to the increasing abstraction of the image - to make a number of aesthetic decisions of his own. The process of printmaking has become an interactive game between the artist and his subject matter, and in the end, it is the nature of the game and of the process of printmaking that the finished work emphasizes rather than its systematic structure or beginnings. Through the process of being made the print becomes something more than the sum of its parts. It becomes not only a visual record of its own creation but also an enigma, a manifestation of the mystery of art and the act of creation.

Johns said of his printmaking practice: "…it’s the techniques that interest me. My impulse to make prints has nothing to do with my thinking it’s a good way to express myself. It’s more a means to experiment in the technique. What interests me is the technical innovation possible for me in printmaking."

The condition of Jasper Johns prints plays a pivotal role in preserving the integrity and value of these artworks. The presence of mat staining, fox marks, and attenuated colors can significantly impact the overall aesthetic and historical integrity of these artworks. When considering a purchase of a Jasper Johns print, it is crucial to be wary of dealers who claim prints are in good condition despite such issues, as this may be a deliberate attempt to mislead buyers. Transparency is imperative in the art market and dealers who purposefully omit condition details are not acting in the best interest of the collector. It is also advisable to avoid dealers who artificially enhance colors in photos, distorting the true condition of the artwork. Choosing dealers who provide accurate representations, even if it reveals imperfections, ensures that buyers make well-informed decisions, maintaining the authenticity and value of Jasper Johns prints over time.