“Target with Plaster Casts” is a notable artwork by Jasper Johns, dating from 1955. This piece employs a collage technique within the installation genre and is associated with the Neo-Dada art movement. As the artwork is part of a private collection, it remains inaccessible to the general public.
The artwork itself is a striking combination of sculptural and painted elements. In the lower section, one observes a depiction of a target comprised of concentric circles in bold, primary colors—yellow, blue, and red—set against a blue background with subtle variations and textures that suggest wear or distress. This use of a target references Johns’ fascination with common, emblematic images that resonate in shared cultural consciousness. Above the target, there is a shelf with a series of compartments, each housing a cast of a body part, from limbs to facial features, rendered in various states of abstraction and coloration. These plaster casts introduce a three-dimensional aspect and serve as a stark contrast to the two-dimensional target below. Collectively, the elements merge to create a thought-provoking visual statement—merging the familiar with the challenging and evoking questions about the nature of representation, perception, and the relationship between art and objects.
