Jasper Johns (born 1930) emerged in the 1950s as a critical figure in American art, notably influencing the Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art movements. Born in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in South Carolina, Johns is best known for his depictions of iconic symbols, such as flags, numbers, and maps. His painting "Flag" (1954–55), which portrays the American flag with a surface built up with newspaper and fabric beneath layers of wax-based paint, challenges the distinction between object and art and remains one of his most celebrated works. Johns' innovative use of materials and his philosophical engagements with themes of perception and identity have positioned him as a pivotal force in contemporary art.
