Artist Monograph

Ray Johnson, American

American, 1927–1995

Medium Breakdown

Medium	Works at MoMA	Share
Drawing	11	25.6%
Gouache	6	14%
Photography	4	9.3%
Other Media	3	7%
Lithography	3	7%
Watercolor	2	4.7%
Oil Painting	1	2.3%

Department Distribution

Department	Works	Share
Drawings & Prints	39	90.7%
Architecture & Design	2	4.7%
Fluxus Collection	2	4.7%

Production by Decade

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

Classification Types

Drawing — 22
Work on Paper — 13
Illustrated Book — 4
Design — 2
Audio — 1
Print — 1

Physical Scale

Scale bracket	Works	Share
Small (< 30 cm)	14	34.1%
Medium (30–100 cm)	27	65.9%

Range: 7.6 cm → 81.3 cm (largest side)

Acquisition Timeline

Year acquired	Works
1965	1
1977	1
1982	1
1995	1
2005	16
2008	2
2015	2
2018	1
2019	2
2022	16

American Contemporaries

Catalogued Works

MoMA — 43 shown

Title	Date	Medium	Dimensions	Department	Credit line
Untitled sound poetry collaboration… Audio Acc. FC5024		Cassette	⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Fluxus Collection	The Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Collection Gift
Letter to Alvin Lustig Design Acc. 1219.2015	1947	Pencil and ink on paper	10 × 9 5/8" (25.4 × 24.4 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Elaine Lustig Cohen Collection, gift of Lawrence Benenson and the Committee on Architecture and Design Funds
Untitled (Moticos with Everly Brothers) Drawing Acc. 1983.2005	(1953/1994)	Assemblage of printed paper, gelatin silver print, paperboard, ink, colored pencil, and gouache on cardboard	11 x 7 1/2" (27.9 x 19.1 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
ray gi[ve]s ANOTHER PA[rt]y Illustrated Book Acc. 492.2022	c. 1955	Artist’s book, 28 pages [32 including collages on covers] of cut-and-pasted printed papers, one with metallic foil (on last spread), and hand-lettered text in ink and pencil	book, closed: 7 15/16 × 6 9/16 × 7/16" (20.2 × 16.7 × 1.1 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Th Thee for and Lai Book Illustrated Book Acc. 491.2022	c. 1955	Book with leaves of cut-and-pasted printed, colored, and metallic papers, synthetic leather, ink, and pencil, with cut holes and foldout flaps. Cover with cut-and-pasted printed, colored, and metallic papers on paper on board.	Book (closed): 8 1/8 × 6 1/2 × 7/16" (20.7 × 16.5 × 1.1 cm); page (irreg.): 7 5/16 × 5 13/16" (18.5 × 14.8 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Untitled (Exercising Figures with Moticos) Drawing Acc. 1984.2005	1955-59/1973	Assemblage of printed paper and painted paper with ink, colored ink, pencil, and colored pencil on board	13 5/8 x 13 1/2" (34.6 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Caged Drawing Acc. 289.1965	1959	Cut-and-pasted painted papers on colored board mounted on painted board	17 3/4 x 13 1/2" (45 x 34.2 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Larry Aldrich Foundation Fund
Untitled Drawing Acc. 736.2019	1960–62	Printed paper, ink, and metallic string on board	4 × 3 3/8" (10.2 × 8.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Sarah-Ann and Werner H. Kramarsky
Untitled (December 1961) Drawing Acc. 737.2019	1961	Cut-and-pasted photograph on printed paper	3 × 2 3/4" (7.6 × 7 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Sarah-Ann and Werner H. Kramarsky
Untitled (Mailing to LaMonte Young) Drawing Acc. 1461.2018	1961	Pencil, colored pencil, ink, and offset on paper (recto and verso) and envelope with crayon	13 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches and 3 3/4 x 8 1/4 inches ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of the Gilbert B. and Lila Silverman Instruction Drawing Collection, Detroit
A Book About Death Illustrated Book Acc. 493.2022.1-13	1963-65	Estimated edition of 500. A complete set of 13 pages (pages numbered 1-15, but 13-14 were never produced). Folded loose-leaf, black and white offset on typing paper	14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 1 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.1	March 8, 1963		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 2 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.2	printed March 15, 1963		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 3 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.3	printed September 10, 1963		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 4 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.4	printed October 22, 1963		8 1/2 × 14" (21.6 × 35.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 5 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.5	printed November 5, 1963		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
A Book to Read Drawing Acc. FC3284	c. 1964-65	Stamped ink and ink on paper	sheet (irreg.): 7 1/16 × 7 1/16" (18 × 18 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Fluxus Collection	The Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Collection Gift
Page 10 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.10	printed October 1, 1964		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 11 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.11	printed November 11, 1964		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 12 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.12	printed December 22, 1964		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 6 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.6	printed March 17, 1964		20 × 14" (50.8 × 35.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 7 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.7	printed April 17, 1964		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 8 ofA Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.8	printed May 8, 1964		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 9 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.9	printed July 8, 1964		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
Page 15 of A Book About Death Work on Paper Acc. 493.2022.13	printed February 19, 1965		14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Helen and Sam Zell
The Paper Snake Illustrated Book Acc. 20.1982	1965. (Work executed 1964-1965).	Photolithographic reproductions of typography, typescript, manuscript, and drawings	page 8 5/16 x 10 1/8" (21.1 x 25.8 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Joanne M. Stern Fund
Bridget Riley's Comb Drawing Acc. 1985.2005	1966	Assemblage of printed paper, paperboard, ink, and gouache on painted paperboard	25 x 13 1/2" (63.5 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
2nd Marilyn Monroe 1926-1962 Drawing Acc. 189.1995	1967	Gouache, crayon, and colored ink on layered board on board with gouache	16 7/8 x 13 5/8" (42.8 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Frances R. Keech Bequest
A Two-Year-Old Girl Chocked to Death Today on an Easter Egg from S.M.S. No. 2 Print Acc. 460.1977.2f	1968	Offset lithograph	sheet: 10 3/4 x 6 5/8" (27.3 x 16.8cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	Gift of Carol O. Selle
Midnight Cowboy Dollar Bill Drawing Acc. 1986.2005	1970	Assemblage of printed paper, dollar bill, postage stamp, paperboard, ink, gouache, and pencil on painted paperboard	30 x 20" (76.2 x 50.8 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Diane Varsi's Mother's Potato Masher Drawing Acc. 1987.2005	1972	Assemblage of printed paper, gelatin silver print, lace, paperboard, ink, and gouache on painted paperboard	25 1/8 x 21 3/8" (63.8 x 54.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Richard Pousette-Dart Masher Drawing Acc. 1988.2005	1972	Assemblage of printed paper and painted paper with ink and colored ink on cardboard on painted paperboard	30 x 13 1/2" (76.2 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Saul Steinberg Drawing Acc. 1989.2005	1972	Assemblage of painted paper, printed paper, colored paper, and simulated animal skin, with ink and gouache on cardboard on printed paperboard	30 x 13 1/2" (76.2 x 34.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Buddha Urinating on Blood (Lake Guillotine) Drawing Acc. 1990.2005	1973	Assemblage of printed paper, colored paper, paperboard, ink, gouache, and watercolor on paperboard	12 1/2 x 12 1/2" (31.8 x 31.8 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Untitled (An Broke N Dish) Drawing Acc. 1991.2005	(1974)	Assemblage of painted paper and printed paper with ink and gouache on cardboard on board	19 1/2 x 12 1/2" (49.5 x 31.8 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Untitled (How to Draw a Tender Button) Drawing Acc. 1992.2005	1974	Assemblage of printed paper, embroidered patch, paperboard, ink, gouache, pencil, and watercolor on painted paperboard	19 1/8 x 16 1/8" (48.6 x 41 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Untitled (Mr. Oldenburg's Cup) Drawing Acc. 1993.2005	(c. 1974)	Assemblage of printed paper, gelatin silver prints, paperboard, ink, gouache, pencil, and watercolor on painted paperboard	20 x 15" (50.8 x 38.1 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Untitled (Wine Glass as Yet Unbroken) Drawing Acc. 1994.2005	1978	Pencil on stationery	11 x 8 1/2" (27.9 x 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Ray Johnson letterhead (Letter to Elaine Lustig Cohen) Design Acc. 1220.2015	1986	Lithograph	11 × 8 1/2" (27.9 × 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Architecture & Design	Elaine Lustig Cohen Collection, gift of Lawrence Benenson and the Committee on Architecture and Design Funds
Untitled (Mail Art Thought) Drawing Acc. 1995.2005	1987	Ink and pencil on paper	11 x 8 1/2" (27.9 x 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Untitled (Broken Glass) Drawing Acc. 1996.2005	1988	Ink on paper	11 x 8 1/2" (27.9 x 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Untitled (The Mailbox) Drawing Acc. 1997.2005	1989	Ink on paper	11 1/4 x 8 1/2" (28.6 x 21.6 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift
Untitled (Ray Johnson Collages One Million Dollars Each) Drawing Acc. 1998.2005	1993-94	Assemblage of printed paper, painted wood, ink, gouache, and pencil on cardboard	8 1/2 x 32" (21.6 x 81.3 cm) ⌀c 0.00 cm · ⌀ 0.00 cm · L 0.00 cm · 0.00 kg · seat 0.00 cm	Drawings & Prints	The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift