The artwork titled “Bird” by Jackson Pollock was created in 1941 and is an exemplar of the Expressionism movement. It is an oil on canvas piece, with dimensions of 61.6 x 70.5 cm. The genre of the piece is figurative, and it currently resides at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, New York, United States.
“Bird” is distinctive in its composition, featuring a central, possibly avian-like form that is surrounded by what appears to be chaotic and expressive brushwork. The color palette includes bold reds juxtaposed with blacks, whites, and yellows, set against a dark background. The use of thick, impasto paint application and the swirling, dynamic lines contribute to a sense of movement and intensity. The depiction is abstract, however, there is a semblance of figurative representation with shapes that suggest eyes and other morphological bird features. The eye at the top of the composition, combined with the circular and curvilinear forms, creates a compelling focal point that draws the viewer into the canvas.
The work’s abstraction does not clearly define the subject but leaves much to the interpretation of the viewer, which is a common trait in Expressionist art where the representation of emotional experience often takes precedence over realistic depiction. Pollock’s “Bird” stands as a striking example of his earlier work before he fully developed his signature drip painting style.
