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Jackson PollockAmerican artist, one of the most famous representatives of abstract expressionism of the 1950s
Date of Birth: 28.12.1912
Country:  USA |
Content:
- American Abstract Expressionist Painter: Jackson Pollock
- Transition to Modernism
- "Action Painting" and the Drip Technique
- International Recognition and Crisis
- Later Years and Tragic Demise
- Legacy and Influence
American Abstract Expressionist Painter: Jackson Pollock
Early Life and Artistic InfluencesJackson Pollock (1912-1956) was born in Cody, Wyoming, into a ranching family. His early artistic education included studies at the Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles and mentorship under Thomas Hart Benton, a prominent American regionalist. Benton's influence is evident in Pollock's early figurative works such as "Night Pasture" (1936).
Transition to Modernism
In the mid-1930s, Pollock began to explore European avant-garde artists such as Paul Klee, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, and Max Ernst. Ernst's "drip technique" particularly captivated him, inspiring Pollock to gradually move away from representational painting.
"Action Painting" and the Drip Technique
In the 1940s, Pollock developed his signature "action painting" style, where he placed the canvas on the floor and dripped or poured paint onto it. He used sticks, knives, and other tools to manipulate the paint, creating dense, interwoven lines. Pollock further explored this technique in works such as "Cathedral" (1947) and "Number 1A: Royal Red and Blue" (1949).
International Recognition and Crisis
Pollock gained international acclaim in the 1950s, but his personal life was plagued by alcoholism. His paintings began to feature only black paint, and he stripped them of titles, believing that "the viewer should see only what is in the painting, not what it is called."
Later Years and Tragic Demise
In his final years, Pollock's mental state deteriorated, and he experienced multiple hospitalizations. After a tumultuous affair, his wife, Lee Krasner, left him. In 1956, Pollock died in an automobile accident at the age of 44.
Legacy and Influence
Pollock's abstract expressionist paintings continue to captivate audiences worldwide. His innovative use of the drip technique and his belief in the direct transfer of emotions onto canvas have profoundly influenced generations of artists. Pollock's legacy as one of the most influential American artists of the 20th century remains undisputed.
