Green Angel 2 Experimental Lithos [trial proof] 1994

Jasper Johns created this experimental lithograph, Green Angel 2, to explore new possibilities within printmaking. Johns came of age as an artist during a time of great social upheaval in the United States, which no doubt shaped his artistic practice. As a gay man working in the mid-20th century, Johns navigated a world where his identity was largely invisible and often stigmatized. His art became a subtle, yet powerful means of expressing his perspective, often through coded imagery and a focus on themes of identity and perception. This piece, with its obscured figures and ghostly outlines, evokes a sense of hidden narratives and veiled identities. It suggests a world where what is seen is not always what is real, resonating with the experience of those living outside the mainstream. The color choice is significant, too. Green, often associated with growth and renewal, here takes on an ethereal quality, imbuing the artwork with an almost spiritual dimension.