Untitled 1951

Jackson Pollock made this Untitled artwork with ink on paper. The monochrome palette pushes the emphasis onto the rhythm of his mark making. It's easy to think of Pollock as a wild man, but look closer. There’s a real sense of control in the way he handles the material, a sophisticated understanding of how the ink will flow and pool. The textures range from thick, almost sculptural blobs, to delicate splatters that create a sense of depth and movement. Notice that concentrated area at the upper right, how the ink gathers to create a dense, almost impenetrable mass. Then, let your eye travel down to the lower left, where the lines become lighter, more airy, almost like branches swaying in the wind. Pollock's process reminds me of Cy Twombly, another artist who embraced spontaneity and chance in his work, while also mining historical and mythological themes. But whereas Twombly can feel romantic, Pollock is always confrontational.