Artist Jasper Johns’ working proofs on display for 1st time at National Gallery of Art in DC

Jasper Johns proofs go on view at National Gallery

WASHINGTON — The National Gallery of Art is opening an exhibit showing working proofs of artist Jasper Johns as independent pieces of art for the first time.

The two-room exhibit opens Sunday and highlights his proofs from 1962 to 1997. It includes 42 works on paper that show how Johns’ refined his style over time.

The artist’s working proofs are prints on which Johns drew or painted additions during the working process. Some show techniques and symbols he repeats in many works over time, such as silhouettes of his artistic predecessors Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso.

Curator Ruth Fine says visitors will see the evolution of Johns’ artistic mind over time.