Three Flags facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Three Flags |
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| Artist | Jasper Johns |
| Year | 1958 |
| Type | Encaustic on canvas |
| Dimensions | (30+7⁄8 in × 45+1⁄2 in) |
| Location | Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City |
Three Flags is a famous painting created in 1958 by an American artist named Jasper Johns. It's special because it shows three American flags stacked on top of each other, making it look like they are coming out towards you!
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What is the Three Flags Painting?
This artwork is made from three separate canvases, which are like thick pieces of cloth used for painting. Jasper Johns used a special technique called encaustic. This means he painted with hot wax that had colors mixed into it.
How the Flags Are Arranged
The three canvases are stacked one on top of the other, like steps. Each flag is about 25% smaller than the one below it. This makes the painting look like it has depth and is coming out into the room.
- The smallest flag is on top and is fully visible.
- The two flags behind it are partly hidden by the flag in front.
What the Flags Look Like
Each flag in the painting looks like the United States flag that was used in 1958. This flag had:
- 48 white stars in a blue box (called a canton).
- 13 stripes, alternating between red and white.
Jasper Johns made sure the colors and sizes of the flags were very close to the real flag's official rules.
Where is Three Flags Now?
The Three Flags painting is a very important piece of art. In 1980, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City bought it for $1 million. They bought it from art collectors Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine to celebrate the museum's 50th birthday.
Since the early 1960s, Three Flags has been shown in many art exhibitions. It has also been featured in many books and magazines about art and American history.
