Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) was a pioneering American painter and a leading figure in the abstract expressionist movement. Born in Cody, Wyoming, Pollock studied under Thomas Hart Benton at the Art Students League of New York, but his style evolved dramatically over time. Pollock is best known for his innovative "drip paintings," which he created by dripping or pouring paint onto a canvas laid on the ground, thereby revolutionizing the nature of painting with his gestural technique. This "action painting" style led to works of extraordinary intensity and vibrancy, like "No. 5, 1948" and "Autumn Rhythm" (1950). Despite a short career, cut short by a fatal car accident, Pollock's impact on the art world was profound, changing the trajectory of American art. His raw, emotive style and his abandonment of traditional artistic methods made him one of the most influential and controversial artists of the 20th century.