The artwork “Flag Above White” is a creation by Jasper Johns produced using encaustic on canvas. This piece is associated with the Pop Art movement and measures approximately 51 by 59 centimeters. Its genre is figurative, and currently, the artwork is housed in a private collection.
The artwork presents a visually layered composition where the dominant motif is a rendition of the American flag. It occupies the top two-thirds of the canvas, composed of the traditional arrangement of stars and stripes. Johns’ technique, the encaustic medium—a method that involves using hot wax mixed with pigments—gives the flag a textured, almost sculptural surface. The colors appear muted yet retain the instantly recognizable iconography of red, white, and blue.
Beneath the flag, there is an expanse of white, which also bears textured markings, perhaps suggesting depth or concealed messages. The lower segment seems intentionally obscured as if offering a tension between the clarity of the flag above and the ambiguity below. The work may provoke contemplation about national identity, cultural symbols, and their meaning, typical of Johns’ explorations during this period in his artistry. Overall, the artwork strikes a balance between the emblematic representation of the flag and an underlying complexity through its physical medium and obscured elements.