About This Artwork

Jasper Johns (American, born 1930)
published by Universal Limited Art Editions (American, founded 1955)
printed by Bill Goldston, James V. Smith, and Thomas Cox

Savarin, 1977-81

Color lithograph from seven aluminum plates on white wove paper
U.L.A.E. Collection acquired through a challenge grant of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dittmer; restricted gift of supporters of the Department of Prints and Drawings; Centennial Endowment; Margaret Fisher Endowment Fund, 1982.411

Universal Limited Art Editions 220 artist's proof; Field 128; Sparks 129 artist's proof

Art © Jasper Johns/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY

This variation on the Savarin theme evokes Edvard Munch's masterful self-portrait in lithography (see 1963.281). The letters “E. M.”, at lower right, directly refer to him. As in the Munch print, Johns has included a ghostly arm in the bottom panel of the composition. The key difference, however, is that Johns has used the Savarin can in place of his own likeness.