The artwork titled “Number 19” was created by the revered artist Jackson Pollock in 1948, a period during which the United States saw a flourish of Abstract Expressionism. Pollock employed oil-based paint to bring this piece to life, which is held in high esteem within the abstract genre. The dimensions of this remarkable artwork are 78.4 cm in height and 58.1 cm in width, a canvas that serves as a battleground for Pollock’s emotive and chaotic technique.
“Number 19” is a quintessential example of Abstract Expressionism, characterized by an extensive array of entangled paint drippings and splatters that engulf the canvas, inviting viewers to interpret their web of complexity. This intricate interlace of colors is created through Pollock’s distinctive drip painting style, where the fluidity and dynamism speak to the subconscious and invite a deep contemplative engagement.
Through various hues layered and intertwined, Pollock brings forth a visual cacophony that negates the traditional norms of figuration and perspective. Hints of color emerge from beneath the predominantly monochromatic surface, suggesting depth and movement, as if capturing a moment in time where Pollock’s motions have been fossilized onto the canvas. This lack of a central focus pushes the observer to drift across the painting, witnessing the raw energy and rhythm that Pollock has instilled in this non-representational masterpiece.
