Arguably the most famous living artist of his generation, Johns is best known for his colorful paintings of flags and maps.

Born in Augusta, Georgia, Johns spent most of his childhood in South Carolina. After briefly studying at the University of South Carolina and Parsons School of Design and serving in the Korean War, Johns moved to New York in 1954 and met Robert Rauschenberg, his longtime lover, and fellow artists/couple Merce Cunningham and John Cage, all of whom introduced Johns to the contemporary arts scene. Gallery owner Leo Castelli met Johns in 1958 and gave him his first solo show, which caught the eye of Alfred Barr, the founding director of MoMA, and put Johns and his Americana on the map. Known best for his use of popular iconography in his work, Johns is considered more a Neo-Dadaist than a Pop artist, although his influence on artists like Andy Warhol and Robert Irwin is undeniable. In addition to his work, Johns and Cage eventually paired up to create their own institution, the Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, now known as the Foundation of Contemporary Arts. Although his output has slowed during the past few decades, his early work still commands a hefty price tag, and Johns has raked in accolades from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama. [Image via Getty, with President Obama]