Diver

painting by Johns

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July 23, 2026

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Diver (1962) is a painting by the American artist Jasper Johns. Johns is known for his association with the Pop art movement, though his work often predates and influences it. He gained recognition for depicting commonplace objects like flags, targets, and maps, elevating them through his unique painting techniques, including the use of encaustic (pigments mixed with hot wax).1

Diver marked a shift in Johns's style, incorporating more fluid brushstrokes and raw paint textures compared to his earlier, more precise works. This painting, along with others from the early 1960s, reflects his exploration of familiar imagery with a new dynamism. Johns's innovative approach, which challenged the prevailing Abstract Expressionist styles, significantly influenced subsequent generations of artists.12

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Jasper Johns
…textures in such works as Diver (1962). Changing his style in the 1970s, he produced near-monochrome paintings composed of clusters of parallel lines that he called “crosshatchings.” The paintings he did in the 1980s contain both figural elements and autobiographical references.
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…textures in such works as Diver (1962). Changing his style in the 1970s, he produced near-monochrome paintings composed of clusters of parallel lines that he called “crosshatchings.” The paintings he did in the 1980s contain both figural elements and autobiographical references.
Read More