False Start by Jasper Johns – The Iconic Abstract Expressionist

Jasper Johns’ “False Start” stands as one of the most significant works in American post-war art. Created in 1959, this oil on canvas masterpiece exemplifies Johns’ revolutionary approach to color, text, and perception. The painting’s defining characteristic is its deliberately mismatched color names, where Johns stenciled words like “red” or “blue” in contrasting hues over vibrant brushstrokes, challenging viewers’ automatic responses to visual information. “False Start” represents a critical transition in Johns’ career and in the broader art world, bridging Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. The work’s significance was confirmed when it sold for $80 million in 2006, making it one of the most expensive paintings by a living artist at that time. Johns’ innovative approach in this piece continues to influence contemporary artists who explore the relationships between language, perception, and meaning.

Key Takeaways

• “False Start” deliberately mismatches color names with the actual colors used, challenging conventional relationships between language and visual perception.
• Created in 1959, the painting serves as a pivotal bridge between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art movements in American art history.
• Johns’ innovative technique in “False Start” uses oil on canvas to create a visually explosive composition that remains influential in contemporary artistic practice.

The Creation of False Start

“False Start” emerged in 1959 as one of Jasper Johns’ pivotal works, representing a critical moment in his artistic development. The oil on canvas piece showcased Johns’ innovative approach to color relationships and language.

Jasper Johns signature; Jackson, Giles B., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Inspiration and Development

Johns created “False Start” during a period of intense creative exploration following his breakthrough with flag and target paintings. The work emerged from his growing interest in the relationship between words, colors, and perception. During this time, Johns was moving away from recognizable imagery toward more abstract compositions.

His personal history as an artist working between Abstract Expressionism and emerging Pop Art sensibilities greatly influenced the piece. Johns deliberately played with viewers’ expectations about color and meaning, creating tension between what is seen and what is named.

The painting’s title itself suggests a moment of hesitation or reconsideration, possibly reflecting Johns’ own artistic process of starting, stopping, and rethinking his approach to painting.

Technical Aspects

“False Start” was executed as an oil on canvas work featuring vibrant splashes of red, yellow, blue, and white with stenciled color names overlaid on the surface. Johns deliberately mismatched the stenciled color words with the actual colors they appear on, creating visual and cognitive dissonance.

The technical approach includes:

• Layers of bold brushstrokes creating an energetic background
• Stenciled words naming colors (“RED,” “YELLOW,” “BLUE”) printed in contradictory hues
• Strategic use of negative space and overlapping elements

Johns applied paint in a seemingly spontaneous manner while maintaining careful control over the composition. This tension between spontaneity and precision became a hallmark of his work.

The piece measures approximately 170.8 × 137.2 cm and has been widely reproduced in art publications, becoming one of Johns’ most recognized works from this period.

Significance in Art History

False Start” (1959) marks a pivotal moment in modern art history, challenging conventional relationships between color, language, and perception. The work exemplifies Johns’ ability to question artistic norms while creating a bridge between major art movements.

In the Context of Jasper Johns’ Work

“False Start” represents an important evolution in Johns’ artistic practice following his iconic Flag, Target, and Map works of the 1950s. Unlike these earlier pieces with their rigid structures, False Start embraces a more spontaneous, gestural approach while maintaining Johns’ conceptual rigor.

The painting demonstrates Johns’ consistent interest in the tension between perception and reality. By labeling patches of color with contradictory color names, he forces viewers to navigate between what they see and what they’re told they should see.

This work connects to Johns’ broader exploration of everyday symbols and language, positioning him as an artist who continually questioned how meaning is constructed in visual art.

Art Historical Impact

False Start” emerged at a crucial transition point between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. The work’s energetic brushwork echoes the gestural painting of Abstract Expressionists, while its use of text and conceptual framework anticipates Pop Art’s engagement with language and commercial imagery.

Johns’ approach influenced numerous artists who explored the relationship between words and images, including conceptual artists of the 1960s and 1970s. His questioning of color perception and representation challenged fundamental assumptions about how art communicates.

Example of pop art, Charles Demuth, I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold; Charles Demuth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons 

The painting’s lasting significance lies in how it bridges seemingly opposed artistic movements. Rather than rejecting Abstract Expressionism entirely, Johns transformed its techniques while introducing new conceptual elements that would become central to subsequent art movements.

False Start in Museums and Exhibitions

Jasper Johns’ “False Start” series has gained significant recognition in major art institutions. These works, known for their exploration of color perception and linguistic play, are housed in prestigious museums where visitors can experience Johns’ innovative approach to color theory and representation.

The Museum of Modern Art Showcase

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York features both “False Start I” and “False Start II” from 1962 in its permanent collection. MoMA’s presentation emphasizes how Johns plays with perceptual cues in these works, challenging viewers’ understanding of color by mismatching color words with the actual colors they’re printed in.

The lithograph “False Start II” is displayed with precise dimensions—composition measuring 17 15/16 x 13 7/8 inches and the complete sheet spanning 30 11/16 x 22 5/8 inches. MoMA’s curatorial approach positions these works as significant examples of Johns’ experimental techniques during the early 1960s.

Museum of Modern Art; hibino, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

MoMA’s educational materials highlight how “False Start” represents a pivotal moment in Johns’ artistic development, transitioning from his iconic flag and target paintings toward more complex explorations of perception and meaning.

National Gallery of Art Exhibition

The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC has featured “False Start” works in special exhibitions focused on postwar American art. Located on the National Mall, the museum has displayed these pieces in both its East Building, which houses modern and contemporary collections, and occasionally in focused exhibitions in the West Building.

“False Start I,” a lithograph printed in 11 colors measuring 31 1/2 x 22 1/2 inches (80.01 x 57.15 cm), has been prominently featured. The limited edition of 38 prints, produced by Universal Limited Art Editions and printed by Robert Blackburn, exemplifies Johns’ technical mastery.

The National Gallery’s exhibitions contextualize “False Start” within Johns’ broader artistic practice, often placing these works alongside other prominent American artists working during the same period. Exhibition materials typically highlight how Johns challenges conventional relationships between words, colors, and perception.

Market Value and Auction History

Jasper Johns’ “False Start” has established itself as one of the most valuable contemporary artworks in the auction market. The painting has repeatedly broken price records, reflecting Johns’ status as one of the most financially successful living artists.

Record-Breaking Sales

“False Start” first made headlines in November 1988 when it sold at Christie’s for £9.5 million (with fees), positioning it among Johns’ top-selling works at that time. The painting’s value continued to climb dramatically, reaching $17 million in a subsequent sale—making it the second-highest price paid at auction in the United States during that period.

More recently, “Small False Start” achieved a staggering $55.35 million at Christie’s in November 2022, against an estimate of $45-65 million. This sale represented a significant milestone in Johns’ market trajectory and contemporary art valuations overall.

Auction at Christie’s; Portable Antiquities Scheme from London, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Christie’s and Sotheby’s have featured several of Johns’ works in their premier evening sales, with “False Start” and its related works consistently attracting top collectors and museums.

The Status of a Living Artist

Jasper Johns, born in 1930, holds the distinction of being among the most financially successful living American artists. His works are represented by leading galleries worldwide and collected by major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art.

The exceptional auction performance of “False Start” has helped cement Johns’ position in the art market hierarchy. His works regularly appear in New York’s multi-billion dollar seasonal auctions, with collectors competing vigorously for his most significant paintings.

Johns’ market value reflects his pivotal role in American art history, bridging Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. As a living artist who has witnessed his own works achieve such remarkable prices, Johns represents a rare case of an artist whose historical importance is matched by extraordinary commercial success.

Artistic Interpretations and Analysis

Jasper Johns’ “False Start” presents a complex interplay between color, language, and perception that has captivated art critics since its creation in 1959. The work deliberately challenges viewers’ expectations by creating dissonance between color names and the actual colors they appear in.

Themes and Symbolism

“False Start” exemplifies Johns’ fascination with the arbitrary relationship between words and their meanings. The painting features a chaotic arrangement of red, yellow, and blue splotches with stenciled color names that often contradict the actual colors they appear in—”red” might be stenciled in blue, for instance. This intentional mismatch forces viewers to confront how language shapes perception.

Johns challenges conventional artistic representation by highlighting the gap between signifier and signified. The work exists in the space between Abstract Expressionism and emerging Pop Art, reflecting Johns’ position as a transitional figure between these movements.

The random arrangement of color resembles maps or targets—recurring motifs in Johns’ oeuvre—while maintaining the gestural qualities of Abstract Expressionism without its emotional intensity.

Comparative Review

Unlike the emotional turbulence of Abstract Expressionism exemplified by Pollock, Johns approaches his subject with cool intellectual detachment. Where Picasso deconstructed form, Johns deconstructs meaning itself through linguistic play.

The work’s exploration of language as arbitrary symbols parallels Johns’ treatment of iconic imagery like the American flag in other works. Both explore how meaning is assigned rather than inherent.

Johns’ methodical exploration of perception differs from Van Gogh’s emotional expressionism while sharing an interest in color relationships. His analytical approach has influenced generations of conceptual artists who question representation.

False Start” distinguishes itself from contemporaneous works through its unique combination of painterly gesture and linguistic analysis, positioning Johns as both heir to Abstract Expressionism and herald of conceptual art movements that would follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the painting ‘False Start’ in Jasper Johns’ career?

“False Start” marks a significant milestone in Johns’ artistic development, bridging his earlier works with his exploration of linguistic elements. Created in 1962, the work helped establish Johns as an artist who could successfully challenge the boundaries between Abstract Expressionism and emerging Pop Art sensibilities.

The painting demonstrates Johns’ growing interest in perception, language, and representation that would define much of his later career. “False Start” represents his ability to engage viewers in an intellectual dialogue through seemingly simple visual contradictions.

The work has been exhibited selectively since its creation, enhancing its mystique and significance within Johns’ body of work.

How does ‘False Start’ by Jasper Johns reflect the artist’s style and themes?

Johns’ “False Start” exemplifies his characteristic approach of combining gestural brushwork with conceptual elements. The work features patches of red, yellow, and blue colors overlaid with contradictory color names, creating a perceptual puzzle for viewers.

This linguistic play is typical of Johns’ interest in signs, symbols, and the relationship between language and visual representation. The painting challenges viewers to navigate between what they see and what they read, reflecting Johns’ ongoing exploration of perception versus reality.

The tension between the expressive, painterly surface and the deliberate conceptual framework represents Johns’ unique position between Abstract Expressionism’s emotional immediacy and Pop Art’s cooler intellectual approach.

What techniques did Jasper Johns employ in the creation of ‘False Start’?

In “False Start,” Johns employed energetic brushwork and splashes of vibrant primary colors reminiscent of Abstract Expressionism. He deliberately applied paint in layers, creating a sense of depth and movement across the canvas.

Johns then superimposed stenciled color names over these painted areas, purposely mismatching the words with the colors they identify. For example, the word “red” might appear in blue paint atop a yellow background, creating visual confusion.

The lithographic version of “False Start” translated these techniques to printmaking, demonstrating Johns’ ability to adapt his conceptual approach across different media while maintaining the essential tension between language and visual perception.

How does ‘False Start’ by Jasper Johns compare to his ‘Flag’ and ‘Target’ series?

While Johns’ “Flag” and “Target” series used recognizable symbols as their subjects, “False Start” moves toward greater abstraction while introducing textual elements. All three bodies of work challenge the relationship between representation and reality, but through different approaches.

The “Flag” and “Target” works question how we perceive familiar symbols when presented as art objects. “False Start” extends this inquiry by examining how language and color perception interact, creating a more complex perceptual puzzle.

“False Start” shows Johns moving away from singular, iconic images toward more layered compositions where meaning emerges from the interplay of multiple elements rather than from a recognizable central image.

What are the key visual elements and symbols present in ‘False Start’ by Jasper Johns?

The primary visual elements in “False Start” include gestural patches of vibrant color—predominantly red, yellow, and blue—arranged in an energetic, seemingly random pattern. These colors create a base of Abstract Expressionist-style painting.

Superimposed on these colors are stenciled words naming colors (like “red,” “blue,” and “yellow”), deliberately printed in inks that don’t match the colors they name. This mismatching is the central conceptual device of the work.

The contrast between the emotional, expressive background and the clinical, stenciled text creates a visual tension that demands viewer engagement and intellectual processing rather than passive viewing.

What is the historical context and critical reception of ‘False Start’ by Jasper Johns?

“False Start” emerged during a pivotal moment in American art history, as the dominance of Abstract Expressionism was giving way to Pop Art and Conceptualism. Johns’ work helped facilitate this transition by combining expressive painting techniques with conceptual ideas about language and perception.

Critics recognized “False Start” as exemplifying Johns’ unique contribution to art history—his ability to question fundamental assumptions about visual perception while creating visually compelling objects. The work’s playful yet profound engagement with color and language earned significant critical acclaim.

The selective exhibition history of works from the “False Start” series has contributed to their mystique and importance within Johns’ oeuvre and within the broader narrative of postwar American art.

Isabella Meyer( Head of Content, Editor, Art Writer )

Isabella studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature & Language and Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate years, she took Art History as an additional subject and absolutely loved it. Building on from her art history knowledge that began in high school, art has always been a particular area of fascination for her. From learning about artworks previously unknown to her, or sharpening her existing understanding of specific works, the ability to continue learning within this interesting sphere excites her greatly.

Her focal points of interest in art history encompass profiling specific artists and art movements, as it is these areas where she is able to really dig deep into the rich narrative of the art world. Additionally, she particularly enjoys exploring the different artistic styles of the 20^th century, as well as the important impact that female artists have had on the development of art history.

Learn more about Isabella Meyer and the Art in Context Team.