Objects
State and color trial proofs for Ale Cans suggest ways the National Gallery’s
collection of Johns’ annotated proofs illuminate the artist’s achievements, and
show that testing visual possibilities and recording them in proofs are integral to Johns’ printmaking process. In a linear trial 
Ale Cans, 1964
National Gallery of Art, Washington, Patrons' Permanent Fund.
Art © Jasper Johns/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY
(fig. a), Johns’
characteristic
hatchings, squiggles, and outlines define Ale Cans and its surrounding
space, unbounded by the loose, broken line that subsequently encloses
a portion of the field. One color variant, lacking the red and green details
on the label 
Ale Cans, 1964
National Gallery of Art, Washington, Patrons' Permanent Fund.
Art © Jasper Johns/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY (fig. b), shows Ale Cans emerging more vividly from the background
than in the edition impression 
Ale Cans, 1964
National Gallery of Art, Washington,
Patrons' Permanent Fund.
Art © Jasper Johns/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY (fig. c).
