Jackson Pollock (1912–1956)
Jackson Pollock was an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement. He is best known for his unique style of drip painting, which he developed in the late 1940s. Instead of using traditional brushes and an easel, Pollock placed his canvases on the floor and dripped, poured, and splattered paint from all sides. This “action painting” technique emphasized the physical act of creation and allowed for a high degree of spontaneity and emotional expression.
Pollock’s work challenged the conventions of Western art and had a profound impact on the development of modern art. His most famous works, such as “Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)” and “Lavender Mist,” are celebrated for their complex layers, rhythmic energy, and monumental scale. Despite his tragic death in a car accident at the age of 44, Pollock remains one of the most iconic and controversial figures in American art history.