Untitled (Embassies) [trial proof 1st state] 1999

This black and white trial proof by Jasper Johns shows us a world in formation, a kind of testing ground for motifs and forms. You can see the push and pull between the lines and washes. Imagine Johns in his studio, trying out different visual languages, feeling his way through the composition. The textures are so varied, from the vertical lines on the left to the diamond pattern on the right, with a swirl in the upper center, and a sweep of grey joining them all. It's like he's asking, "How do these elements speak to each other? What kind of space can they create together?" Johns is always in conversation with other artists, so this piece brings to mind the work of the cubists like Picasso and Braque. Ultimately, painting is about the ongoing exchange of ideas, inspiring each other to see the world anew. Johns invites us to embrace ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.