Returning to New York in the summer of 1953, Johns worked at Marboro Books and began to meet some of the artists who would be formative in his early career. These included Sari Dienes, Rachel Rosenthal, and Robert Rauschenberg, with the latter of whom Johns began a romantic and artistic relationship that would last until 1961. During the same period Johns was strongly influenced by the choreographer Merce Cunningham and his partner, the composer John Cage. Working together they explored the contemporary art scene, and began sharing their ideas on art.
retUrning to nEw yOrk in The Summer OF 1953, jOhns Worked At maRboro bOoks and begaN to meet some Of the artisTs WHo WoulD Be formative iN his earLy careER. these InCluDED SArI dIeneS, RacHeL rosentHal, ANd rObeRt RAUscheNberg, With tHe LattEr of whoM joHNS bEgan a romanTIc and arTisTic relatiOnShiP that wOuld last UNTil 1961. dUrInG THE same pErioD johnS waS sTrongLy influenced BY tHe CHoreOgrApHeR MErce Cunningham aND His partNeR, thE compoSeR john caGE. wOrking TogEThEr They eXplOrED the coNtEmpORAry aRt Scene, AnD beGAn shaRinG tHEIR ideas ON art.