Jasper Johns
(b. 1930)
"Light Bulb," from the "Lead Reliefs" series, 1969
Lead relief multiple
Edition: 40/60 (there were also ten artist's proofs)
With the incised signature, date, and number at the upper left: J Johns; Gemini G.E.L, Los Angeles, CA, prntr./pub., and with their blindstamp; in the publisher's original welded aluminum frame with polystyrene and wood backing
39" H x 17" W
Provenance: Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles, CA
The Marmor Family Collection, acquired from the above, May 23, 1969

Literature: Universal Limited Art Editions 75; Field 121; Gemini 132

Other Notes: Jasper Johns' "Light Bulb" lead relief is a profound exploration of American cultural symbols encapsulated in lead, revealing the artist's enduring fascination with mundane objects and their transformation into potent symbols of meaning.

Johns' oeuvre has been defined by his relentless interrogation of the familiar, challenging viewers to reconsider the significance embedded within commonplace imagery. Through this lead relief, Johns invites us to confront the conceptual contradictions inherent in symbols deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness. The series encapsulates Johns' lifelong endeavor to destabilize and recontextualize the ordinary, transforming "things the mind already knows" into objects of contemplation and intrigue.

At the heart of this piece lies the enigmatic presence of the light bulb, a motif that recurs throughout Johns' career as a symbol of illumination and artistic creation. The light bulb, rendered in lead relief, serves as a potent metaphor for the essential conditions required for both the creation and appreciation of art - without light, what remains unseen?

Notably, John's fascination with the light bulb extends beyond the confines of the art world, permeating popular culture as evidenced by his cameo appearance in an episode of "The Simpsons." Here, Johns' appropriation of the light bulb transcends the boundaries of traditional artistic discourse, affirming its status as an enduring emblem of creativity and cultural resonance.

This "Light Bulb" lead relief represents a pivotal moment in Jasper Johns' artistic evolution, showcasing his mastery of the medium and his relentless pursuit of visual and conceptual complexity. Through this work, Johns challenges us to reconsider the meaning embedded within the familiar, inviting us into a world where ordinary objects become vessels for profound introspection and inquiry.


This lot is accompanied by the Gemini G.E.L. documentation sheet, sales invoice dated May 23, 1969, and four slides of the Jasper Johns installation at the Stanford Art Museum in 1998.

Overall good condition for a work of this size in this medium. A pencil-thin, approximately 13" horizontal surface scuff across the lower section of the electric cord, possibly inherent in the original manufacture. A slight surface dent, approximately one inch long, across the upper right corner. As is common with these lead relief multiples, there are occasional scattered small surface scuffs and slight abrasions, some areas with delicate surface pitting, and occasional fingerprints or small areas of oxidation near the outer edges, all visible primarily in raking light.

The work, in the publisher's original welded aluminum frame, is framed under Plexiglas: 39.5" H x 18" W x 2" D Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.