Jubilee

1960

Takes up lithography at Tatyana Grosman's ULAE

In 1960 Tatyana Grosman, founder of Universal Limited Art Editions, invited Johns to her printmaking studio on Long Island. Beginning with lithographs of his familiar motifs, such as Target (1960), he went on to publish over 180 editions with ULAE in a variety of techniques.

1961

Parts from Rauschenberg

In 1961 Johns's romantic relationship and close collaboration with Robert Rauschenberg, begun in 1953, came to an end; Rauschenberg had been a profound artistic influence on him.

spring 1963

Co-founds an arts foundation with John Cage

In spring 1963 Johns and John Cage co-founded the Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, now the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, to raise funds in the performance field.

1980

The Whitney buys “Three Flags” for $1 million

In 1980 the Whitney Museum of American Art paid $1 million for Three Flags (1958), then the highest price ever paid for the work of a living artist.

1988

“False Start” sells for $17.05 million

In 1988 False Start (1959) was sold at Sotheby's to Samuel I. Newhouse Jr. for $17.05 million, a record at the time for a work by a living artist at auction and the second highest price paid for an artwork at auction in the United States.

1988

Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale

In 1988 Johns received the highest honour of the 43rd Venice Biennale, the Golden Lion, for his exhibition in the United States pavilion.