Etching and aquatint in colors, on Rives paper

Jasper Johns' Periscope, created in 1981, is a limited edition etching and aquatint on Rives paper, measuring 41 by 29 inches. The composition showcases Johns’ fascination with language, color, and abstraction. The artwork is divided into sections, each labeled with the words RED, YELLOW, and BLUE, corresponding with their respective color fields, yet the placement and orientation of the text appear disjointed, creating a sense of visual ambiguity. A large circular form reminiscent of a periscope lens overlaps part of the composition, introducing movement and depth. The texture achieved through etching and aquatint adds a tactile quality, enhancing the interplay between text, color, and form. Johns’ piece explores the perception of color and language, blending them in a way that challenges viewers to engage with the work beyond surface recognition, questioning the relationship between visual information and meaning.