Isabella Flores
Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles is a large abstract expressionist painting, created in 1952. It is one of the most popular exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), where it has been housed since 1973. The painting is built up with successive layers of dripped and poured paint, evenly dispersed across the canvas. The gallery has only lent the painting twice: to MoMA in 1998-99 and the Royal Academy of Arts, London in 2016. The paintings, drawings and prints by Pollock that are displayed around Blue Poles represent key moments in the artist's career, tracing the evolution of his style from the early figurative work of the 1930s to the abstract 'drip' paintings of the 1950s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Jackson Pollock |
| Year | 1952 |
| Type | Abstract Expressionist Painting |
| Materials | Oil, enamel, aluminium paint, glass on canvas |
| Dimensions | 212.1x488.9cm |
| Purchased by | National Gallery of Australia |
| Purchase year | 1973 |
| Purchase price | $1.3 million |
| Current value | $350 million (as of 2016) |
| Exhibition | From 4 October 2002 until 27 January 2003 |
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What You'll Learn
The painting's history and its journey to the NGA
The Blue Poles, also known as Number 11, 1952, is an abstract expressionist painting by American artist Jackson Pollock. It is considered a masterpiece and a prime example of his unique approach to action painting. Pollock created this monumental painting by working on the floor of his studio—a converted barn on Long Island, USA. He used flung and dripped lines of brightly coloured household paints, including ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, reddish orange, white, black, and a shiny silver-coloured paint made from aluminium particles.
At the time of its creation, Pollock preferred numbering his works instead of naming them. Hence, the original title was simply Number 11 for the year 1952. In 1954, the new title Blue Poles was first seen at an exhibition at the Sidney Janis Gallery, reportedly coined by Pollock himself.
The painting was first purchased by Fred and Florence Olsen from Pollock for $8,000, the highest price paid for a Pollock work at the time. Renowned art collector and supporter Ben Heller then acquired the painting in 1957, a year after Pollock's death, for $32,000. It hung in his New York apartment, where he frequently loaned it to museums for viewing.
In 1973, the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) purchased Blue Poles for US$1.3 million (equivalent to A$2 million), setting a new record for Pollock. The acquisition was controversial, with debates surrounding the painting's record-breaking price, the perceived financial ineptitude of the ruling government, and the relative value of abstract art. The purchase was approved by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who decided to make the price public, creating a political and media scandal.
Since its purchase, Blue Poles has become one of the NGA's major paintings and one of the most popular exhibits. It has rarely been loaned out, but it did leave Australia in 1998 for a Pollock retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It was also displayed at the Royal Academy's Abstract Expressionism exhibition in London from 2016 to 2017 before returning to the NGA.
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The impact of Blue Poles on contemporary art
Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, also known as Number 11, 1952, is an abstract expressionist painting that has had a profound and lasting impact on contemporary art. The painting was created in 1952, four years before the artist's untimely death in a car accident in 1956. Blue Poles is a manifestation of Pollock's concepts of the unconscious and pure painting, reflecting his life experiences and his view that art should respond to contemporary life.
Pollock's revolutionary approach to art involved abandoning traditional tools and methods, instead pouring and flinging house paint directly onto large canvases placed on the floor, earning him the nickname "Jack the Dripper". This departure from convention and embrace of a new form of expression captivated the art world and set a precedent for future artists. The impact of Blue Poles extended beyond its aesthetic value, as its purchase by the National Gallery of Australia in 1973 for US$1.3 million sparked intense public discussion and controversy. The record-breaking price tag, the highest ever for an American painting at the time, brought the work into the political sphere, with debates surrounding the financial competence of the Whitlam Labor Party government and the relative value of abstract art.
The acquisition of Blue Poles by the National Gallery of Australia marked a turning point in the country's cultural heritage, positioning the national collection on an international stage. The painting has become an iconic part of Australian history, embodying issues such as the role of art in politics and the global impact of Abstract Expressionism. The controversy surrounding its purchase drew attention to the work, solidifying its place as a significant and influential piece in the art world.
Blue Poles has had a lasting impact on generations of artists who followed in Pollock's footsteps. Its influence extended beyond the artistic community, as the painting's fame and the surrounding debates captured the imagination of the public. The work's impact on the trajectory of abstract and contemporary art is undeniable, with Pollock's revolutionary techniques and unique style continuing to inspire and shape artistic endeavours.
The painting's impact is also evident in its ability to generate discussion and dialogue. The controversy surrounding its purchase and the subsequent media and political scandal brought attention to the work, sparking conversations about the nature of art, its value, and its role in society. Blue Poles continues to be a focal point for exploration and analysis, with exhibitions and documentaries dedicated to unraveling its mystique and understanding its place in the broader context of Pollock's career.
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The evolution of Pollock's style
Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, also known as Number 11, 1952, is an abstract expressionist painting that was created using the artist's famous drip technique. This technique, also known as action painting, involves pouring or splashing liquid household paint onto a horizontal surface, allowing Pollock to view and paint the canvas from all angles. This approach to painting was influenced by Native American sandpainting demonstrations, Mexican muralists, and Surrealism.
Pollock's early work in the 1930s was characterised by a Regionalist style, with influences from Mexican muralists such as Diego Rivera and aspects of Surrealism. In the late 1940s, he began to develop his abstract drip style, inspired by the work of modern artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Janet Sobel. Pollock's marriage to fellow artist Lee Krasner in 1945 was also a significant influence on his career and style.
By the mid-1940s, Pollock had introduced his famous drip paintings, which represented a radical departure from traditional painting techniques. He abandoned conventional tools and methods, such as brushes and artist's paint, and instead used household paint, which he poured and flung directly onto large canvases placed on the floor. This extreme form of abstraction divided critics, with some praising the immediacy of creation, while others criticised the random effects.
Pollock's style evolved further in the 1950s, with the introduction of strong vertical elements in his paintings, as seen in Blue Poles. This painting, created in 1952, is considered a late work in which Pollock reassessed his drip style, incorporating vertical poles that stand out from the surrounding abstract forms. The exhibition Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles at the National Gallery of Australia in 2002-2003 explored the evolution of Pollock's style, from his early figurative work of the 1930s to the abstract drip paintings of the 1950s, providing a comprehensive understanding of the development of his artistic career.
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The painting's conservation and treatment
The conservation and treatment of paintings involve stabilising, repairing, and preserving them. Preventive conservation is key to ensuring the longevity of paintings. Preventive care is considered the best method of conservation. This includes maintaining the temperature, humidity, and light conditions within acceptable ranges to prevent damage. For instance, scrolls and screens are vulnerable to damage from fluctuations in temperature and humidity, and exposure to light for extended periods can cause silk and pigments to fade. Similarly, watercolours are very light-sensitive and vulnerable to damage from dirt, dust, and pollutants.
Conservation treatments require significant research and vary depending on the type of painting. For instance, treatments for scroll paintings and screens may include remounting, consolidating pigments, removing old backings, and in-painting and retouching. Paintings conservators often collaborate with conservators from other disciplines, such as sculpture or paper, as well as art historians and curators.
The conservation of canvas paintings requires extra care. It is important not to assume that the frame is stable and firmly attached. Paintings should not be lifted or carried by their stretcher bars, and fingers should not be inserted between the stretcher bar and the canvas. When handling large paintings, it is recommended to use padding lifts and dollies, and to always wear gloves to protect the artwork from dirt and oil.
In the case of Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, the painting underwent an extensive conservation project during the COVID-19 pandemic when the National Gallery of Australia was temporarily closed. This provided a rare opportunity for conservation work, as the painting had been on display since its purchase in 1973. The conservation process for Blue Poles may have included treatments similar to those undertaken for Pollock's other works, such as adhering a lining to the canvas with wax-resin and varnishing the painting.
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The public's reaction to the painting
The public reaction to Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles has been mixed, with some celebrating it as a masterpiece of abstract expressionism and others criticising it as a seemingly unintelligible mess. The painting's purchase by the National Gallery of Australia in 1973 for US$2 million (equivalent to A$1.3 million at the time) sparked a great deal of public discussion and controversy. The debate centred on the painting's record-breaking selling price, the perceived financial ineptitude of the Whitlam government, and the relative value of abstract art. Art historian Patrick McCaughey described the impact of the painting on the Australian public, saying, "never had such a picture moved and disturbed the Australian public".
The Sydney Daily Mirror ran the front-page headline, "Barefoot drunks painted our $1m masterpiece", referencing Pollock's struggle with alcoholism and the high price paid for the painting. Despite the initial controversy, Blue Poles has become one of the most popular exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia, with its value as a major work of 1950s abstract expressionism and its significance in Australian politics and history being recognised. The painting has also been described as a "signature work" in exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Royal Academy's Abstract Expressionism exhibition in London.
Art critics have also weighed in on Blue Poles, with some offering interpretations and defences of the work. Art historian Dennis Phillips, for example, argued that the specific title "Blue Poles" is too distracting, limiting our field of comprehension and doing the painting a disservice. Critics have also questioned whether the work is truly a masterpiece, acknowledging that it provokes dead-end questions and challenges traditional ideas of painting. Pollock's unique approach to action painting, where he abandoned conventional tools and methods, has been both celebrated and criticised, highlighting the complex and divisive nature of public reactions to Blue Poles.
Overall, the public reaction to Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles has been complex and multifaceted, ranging from initial controversy and criticism to eventual recognition as a significant work of abstract expressionism. The painting has sparked discussions about the value of abstract art, the role of government in acquiring artworks, and the complexities of interpreting and understanding modern art. Blue Poles continues to be a polarising work that challenges traditional artistic conventions and prompts ongoing dialogue and reflection.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue Poles, also known as Number 11, 1952, is an abstract expressionist painting created by American artist Jackson Pollock. It is one of his last monumental abstract paintings.
Blue Poles is significant as it is a turning point in Pollock's career, marking a departure from his earlier works and a self-conscious re-evaluation of his famous painting technique. It is also one of the most popular exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia, attracting a wide audience and contributing to Australia's cultural heritage.
The Blue Poles painting is currently on display at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. It has been loaned to other institutions in the past, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
