Jasper Johns' Crosshatch series marks a significant period in his career, where he transitioned towards more abstract compositions. Beginning in 1972 with his painting "Untitled," Johns explored crosshatched lines in intricate arrangements, experimenting with colors, patterns, and mirroring effects. The inspiration for these works came from a fleeting glimpse of a pattern on a moving car, which Johns felt encapsulated qualities he was drawn to, such as literalness, repetitiveness, and the potential for meaninglessness. Over a decade, he created various iterations of this motif in both paintings and prints, incorporating elements like collaged newspaper scraps in encaustic paintings to add texture and depth. The titles of these works sometimes hint at deeper meanings or narratives, as seen in "Usuyuki" and "Cicada," where the former evokes the ephemeral beauty of the world, and the latter symbolizes transformation. Johns' crosshatch works exemplify his experimental approach to printmaking and painting, showcasing his ability to repurpose printmaking techniques for abstract expression​ (Sothebys.com)​.