Person With Conscience (Green) Animals Quiescent, 1991

Person With Conscience (Green) Animals Quiescent, 1991 by John Baldessari is a quintessential example of the artist’s conceptual approach, blending photography, color, and text to challenge the viewer’s understanding of imagery and meaning. Known for his ability to elevate mundane, everyday subjects into thought-provoking art, Baldessari's work here explores the complex relationship between image and interpretation.

In this piece, Baldessari isolates a figure, titled Person With Conscience, in a green-tinted monochromatic image. The juxtaposition of this person with the phrase Animals Quiescent encourages the viewer to consider the emotional and ethical undertones that may not be immediately apparent. The text, an integral part of the composition, is a tool Baldessari often uses to disrupt traditional ways of reading and seeing images. His use of language to recontextualize ordinary scenes adds layers of meaning, asking the viewer to reflect on the nature of human conscience, responsibility, and passivity in relation to the natural world.

The color green, commonly associated with nature and tranquility, contrasts with the stillness implied by the phrase Animals Quiescent. This tension between the peacefulness of the visual and the conceptual depth of the text exemplifies Baldessari’s ability to blend humor, irony, and philosophy within a minimalist framework.

This museum-quality work is a prime example of Baldessari’s contribution to conceptual art, highlighting his mastery of combining text and imagery to create multilayered interpretations. Person With Conscience (Green) Animals Quiescent remains a compelling piece that reflects Baldessari’s continued exploration of language, perception, and moral inquiry in contemporary art.