The artwork titled “Black & White (Number 20)” was created by the renowned artist Jackson Pollock in 1951. It is executed in oil on canvas and is a quintessential example of the action painting genre within the abstract movement. Measuring 162.56 cm in height and 145.26 cm in width, this piece is currently housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles, California, USA.
“Black & White (Number 20)” is characterized by its dynamic composition and gestural brushstrokes, typical of Pollock’s groundbreaking style. The canvas is dominated by a dense web of black streaks that traverse and overlap each other against a contrasting light background. The chaotic, intertwined lines exhibit a sense of vigorous movement and raw energy, almost as if capturing the artist’s motion in the act of painting. Brushwork is largely absent, as Pollock preferred the technique of dripping and splattering paint, which lends a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the work. Despite its abstract nature, viewers might intuitively search for patterns or forms within the entangled forms, a testament to Pollock’s ability to engage the viewer’s psyche through his abstract expressions. The monochromatic palette focuses attention on the textures and the varied thickness of the paint application, highlighting the physicality of the artwork’s creation.
