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Mr. and Mrs. John Pappajohn

Mr. John Pappajohn

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A rabbit with long ears and spindly limbs sitting on a boulder is cast in bronze in this freestanding sculpture. In this view, the rabbit’s body is angled to our left. It rests its long muzzle on its right fist, to our left. That elbow rests on the right, bent knee. The other wrist rests on the other bent knee. The textured boulder sits on a disk-like round base also cast in bronze, and the sculpture is displayed on a grassy lawn against a screen of mature green trees.
Barry Flanagan, Thinker on a Rock, 1997, bronze, Gift of John and Mary Pappajohn, Des Moines, Iowa, 1999.30.1

Thinker on a Rock

Barry Flanagan · 1997 · bronze ·  Accession ID  1999.30.1

The sculpture depicts a flag with red-and-white stripes and a blue section in the upper left corner containing a few white dots. A yellow fringe or rod is present on the left edge. The sculpture is made from a textured material, creating a surface that appears uneven. The vivid colors have been applied roughly, and they blend into one another in many places. The shape of the flag is slightly crumpled, causing it to appear to be flowing or waving.
Claes Oldenburg, U.S.A. Flag, 1960, muslin, plaster, tempera, and wire, Gift of John and Mary Pappajohn, 2004.154.1

U.S.A. Flag

Claes Oldenburg · 1960 · muslin, plaster, tempera, and wire ·  Accession ID  2004.154.1

The sculpture is a cylindrical gray form placed on the floor within an interior space. The surface is textured with a white pattern resembling weathered or worn paint, with the gray material showing through in some patches. The top is smooth and dark gray. It sits against a backdrop of a wall with large, light-colored rectangular tiles, and on top of a light brown, marbled floor.
Roni Horn, Opposite of White, v. 2 (Large) (A), 2006-2007, solid cast black glass with fire-polished top, Gift of the Collectors Committee, Howard and Roberta Ahmanson, John and Mary Pappajohn, Denise and Andrew Saul, Constance R. Caplan, Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund, Kyle J. and Sharon Krause, and Mitchell and Emily Rales, 2015.63.1

Opposite of White, v. 2 (Large) (A)

Roni Horn · 2006-2007 · solid cast black glass with fire-polished top ·  Accession ID  2015.63.1

The artwork showcases a composition divided into two halves. The left side displays an inverted orientation of uppercase letters while the right side shows the text in its standard orientation, both forming a rectangular block of grey-toned letters. The piece features a pattern of words resembling a stencil cut-out in a bold, uniform style, intertwined with abstract black ink shapes that give the impression of flowing lines or fur-like textures surrounding and partially obscuring the text on the right half. The words suggest body parts or clothing items, drawing a symbolic connection to the human figure.
Jasper Johns, Aldo Crommelynck, Petersburg Press, Words [trial proof 3], 1976, drypoing and lift-ground aquatint in black on wove paper [trial proof], Patrons' Permanent Fund and Special Friends of the National Gallery of Art, 2008.136.180

Words [trial proof 3]

Jasper Johns, Aldo Crommelynck, Petersburg Press · 1976 · drypoing and lift-ground aquatint in black on wove paper [trial proof] ·  Accession ID  2008.136.180

The image features thin, elongated, slightly irregular lines arranged in a dense, overlapping pattern on a dark background. The formation resembles a network or a collection of scattered matchsticks, evoking tangled branches or complex pathways.
Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck, Corpse and Mirror [trial proof 5], 1976, etching and aquatint in black, gray, and cream on wove paper [trial proof], Patrons' Permanent Fund and Special Friends of the National Gallery of Art, 2008.136.154

Corpse and Mirror [trial proof 5]

Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck · 1976 · etching and aquatint in black, gray, and cream on wove paper [trial proof] ·  Accession ID  2008.136.154

The image features five square, vertically oriented elements laid out horizontally. Each element contains abstract lines and shapes that suggest the numbers eight, nine, six, one, and zero from left to right. The first box has swirling and textured lines, resembling the number eight. The second box has densely filled crisscrossing lines, hinting at the number nine. In the center, bold, dark curves suggest the number six. The fourth box features jagged and angular strokes inferring the number one. The last box displays rounded forms around a vertical oval, forming the number zero.
Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck, Untitled (State Proofs and Proofs of Numbers) [state proof], 1975, aquatint in black on wove paper [state proof], Patrons' Permanent Fund and Special Friends of the National Gallery of Art, 2008.136.117

Untitled (State Proofs and Proofs of Numbers) [state proof]

Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck · 1975 · aquatint in black on wove paper [state proof] ·  Accession ID  2008.136.117

The image features a large amorphous shape in the center with intricate textures resembling a cluster of tiny dots or grains. Surrounding this central shape are sweeping lines and soft gray tones. The composition has an organic quality, with areas that might be likened to a footprint or a distant landscape viewed from above. The abstract nature of the piece allows for various visual interpretations.
Jasper Johns, Aldo Crommelynck, Petersburg Press, Face [trial proof 8], 1976, lift-ground aquatint in gray on wove paper [trial proof], Patrons' Permanent Fund and Special Friends of the National Gallery of Art, 2008.136.192

Face [trial proof 8]

Jasper Johns, Aldo Crommelynck, Petersburg Press · 1976 · lift-ground aquatint in gray on wove paper [trial proof] ·  Accession ID  2008.136.192

The image features an irregular shape resembling an abstract human torso, surrounded by a gray shaded rectangle. At the bottom, the word "TORSO" is prominently featured in bold letters.
Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck, Torso [trial proof], 1976, aquatint [trial proof], Patrons' Permanent Fund and Special Friends of the National Gallery of Art, 2008.136.239

Torso [trial proof]

Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck · 1976 · aquatint [trial proof] ·  Accession ID  2008.136.239

The image shows a small square with a bold number "4" at the center, created with straight and slightly curved lines. This abstract representation of the numeral appears within a rectangular patch of textured, darker gray tones. The surrounding area is a plain, light beige, making the number stand out. The blocky style of the "4" might remind one of wooden or metal type blocks used in traditional printmaking or a vintage style number plate.
Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck, 4 [trial proof], 1975, aquatint in gray on wove paper [trial proof], Patrons' Permanent Fund and Special Friends of the National Gallery of Art, 2008.136.91

4 [trial proof]

Jasper Johns, Petersburg Press, Aldo Crommelynck · 1975 · aquatint in gray on wove paper [trial proof] ·  Accession ID  2008.136.91

The image displays diagonal orange-brown lines crossing the picture plane, layered with black and gray scribbles. The lines give the appearance of a distorted fence or beams of a construction. Additionally, there are floating black and white shaded forms resembling rock fragments or eroded sculptures.
Jasper Johns, Gemini G.E.L., Ron McPherson, Serge Lozingot, Charles Ritt, James Webb, Four Panels from Untitled 1972 [D Panel, trial proof 5], 1973, published 1974, color lithograph on Copperplate Deluxe wove paper [trial proof], Patrons' Permanent Fund and Special Friends of the National Gallery of Art, 2008.136.534

Four Panels from Untitled 1972 [D Panel, trial proof 5]

Jasper Johns, Gemini G.E.L., Ron McPherson, Serge Lozingot, Charles Ritt, James Webb · 1973, published 1974 · color lithograph on Copperplate Deluxe wove paper [trial proof] ·  Accession ID  2008.136.534