Artwork Analysis: No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock

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Artwork Analysis
No. 5, 1948, is Jackson Pollock’s popular painting. He was an American painter or artist known for his contributions to the abstract expressionist movement. This painting was sold in May 2006 for over $130 million. Until April 2011, it was considered the most expensive painting and no other artwork could surpass it for years (Bibby 207). One of the critical characteristics of this painting is that it has been created on a fiberboard, which is often regarded as a composition board. The measurement is 8’ x 4’, and for the paint, the artist made the wise use of liquid paints. More specifically, they are synthetic resin paints having gloss enamel but are often referred to as oil paints.
As we can see in the painting, there is a combination of yellow, white, black, brown, grey, green, and other similar colors. Basically, Jackson Pollock has chosen bright or vibrant colors for this painting in order to give it an appealing and eye-catching look. Oil paints belonging to different classes have been chosen, with the core focus on grey, white, yellow, and brown. All of these shades drizzle in a way that some people may consider it a bird’s nest. It’s safe to say that it not only looks like a bird’s nest but also seems to be a thick and complex network of chains or veins.
Abstract expressionism is a post–World War II art movement in American painting, which came into being in the 1940s. It is regarded as the very first American movement that influenced the world of art in one way or the other. In New York City, different art galleries were established, and this city was put at the center of the world of western art (Rubin 300). Basically, this artwork is related to that movement that was originated years ago. With time, various artists started preparing artworks or paintings related to abstract expressionism. This particular painting is associated with the same movement, as all of its elements, colors, and the way it has been presented to highlight how abstract expressionism transformed the world of art.
Since the time it was first presented, this painting has been modified a number of times, but the mediums are the same. For example, the way Jackson Pollock use different oils colors has been the same. In January 1949, this painting was shown at the Betty Parsons gallery in a solo Pollock show. In those days, the painting used to look slightly different from what we see nowadays. However, the basic elements, such as colors and style have been kept the same. This was the only canvas sold from the Pollock show at $1,500.
One of the most interesting facts of this painting is that it is the crucial work in the Abstract Expressionist movement. In the wake of World War II, artists like Barnett Newman, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock pushed the boundaries of their ar...