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Jackson Pollock’s Mural: The Transitional Moment
Jackson Pollock's (1912–1956) first large-scale painting, Mural, in many ways represents the birth of Pollock, the legend. The controversial artist’s creation of this painting has been recounted in dozens of books and dramatized in the Oscar-winning film Pollock. Rumors—such as it was painted in one alcohol-fueled night and at first didn’t fit the intended space—abound. But never in doubt was that the creation of the painting was pivotal, not only for Pollock but for the Abstract Expressionists who would follow his radical conception of art —“no limits, just edges.”
Mural, painted in 1943, was Pollock’s first major commission. It was made for the entrance hall of the Manhattan duplex of Peggy Guggenheim, who donated it to the University of Iowa in the 1950s where it stayed until its 2012 arrival for conservation and study at the Getty Center. This book unveils the findings of that examination, providing a more complete picture of Pollock’s process than ever before. It includes an essay by eminent Pollock scholar Ellen Landau and an introduction by comedian Steve Martin. It accompanies an exhibition of the painting on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum from March 11 through June 1, 2014.
Mural, painted in 1943, was Pollock’s first major commission. It was made for the entrance hall of the Manhattan duplex of Peggy Guggenheim, who donated it to the University of Iowa in the 1950s where it stayed until its 2012 arrival for conservation and study at the Getty Center. This book unveils the findings of that examination, providing a more complete picture of Pollock’s process than ever before. It includes an essay by eminent Pollock scholar Ellen Landau and an introduction by comedian Steve Martin. It accompanies an exhibition of the painting on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum from March 11 through June 1, 2014.
- GenresArtNonfiction
124 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 31, 2023
if you like this review, i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com
130117: not actually my favourite pollock- but a fascinating investigation, artifact deconstruction...
130117: not actually my favourite pollock- but a fascinating investigation, artifact deconstruction...
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February 11, 2015A fascinating look at the painting’s history and the conservation work that was completed in 2014.
After a brief history of the painting and the artist, the book goes into detail about the conservation process. The painting had dulled over the years, mostly due to a coating of varnish in the 1970s, the technique in use at the time to protect paintings. The meticulous effort to remove the varnish is described in words and and photographs; artists who paint will get more out of the detail than I did, but I was happy to skim the technical bits and focus on the illustrations. Cross sections of the paint on the canvas illuminate Pollock’s technique as well as show the varnish that is not original.
The painting is very large–roughly 8 feet by 20 feet–and the photographs of the conservation staff working on the painting give one a sense of the huge effort the project required. There are before-and-after fold-out pages showing the complete painting.
After a brief history of the painting and the artist, the book goes into detail about the conservation process. The painting had dulled over the years, mostly due to a coating of varnish in the 1970s, the technique in use at the time to protect paintings. The meticulous effort to remove the varnish is described in words and and photographs; artists who paint will get more out of the detail than I did, but I was happy to skim the technical bits and focus on the illustrations. Cross sections of the paint on the canvas illuminate Pollock’s technique as well as show the varnish that is not original.
The painting is very large–roughly 8 feet by 20 feet–and the photographs of the conservation staff working on the painting give one a sense of the huge effort the project required. There are before-and-after fold-out pages showing the complete painting.
December 29, 2014
An amazing book for those lucky enough to go see the Mural at the Getty and those who didn't... loved it - it was great to read the book and then see the piece up close.
April 26, 2021
"What may at first seem crowded and repetitious reveals on second sight an infinity of dramatic movement and variety."
A key figure in the evolution of 20th century American painting, Jackson Pollock created dynamic and complex works that continue to captivate and challenge those who study them. This is attributed in part to his experimental approach to the handling of paint, which eventually grew into the style for which he is most well known, his drink paintings.
His painting, mural, is a complex and intricate composite of brushstrokes, splatters, smears and dabs. A multitude of colours weaves across the canvas, and it is difficult to establish thee exact order of application, as the same colours were used from start to finish, many of them appearing in both the early and late stages of painting. The combination of quickly applied but controlled brushed paint and more "accidental" thrown paint of different consistencies were applied across the great canvas with an energy that is evident in the effects that have been achieved.
A key figure in the evolution of 20th century American painting, Jackson Pollock created dynamic and complex works that continue to captivate and challenge those who study them. This is attributed in part to his experimental approach to the handling of paint, which eventually grew into the style for which he is most well known, his drink paintings.
His painting, mural, is a complex and intricate composite of brushstrokes, splatters, smears and dabs. A multitude of colours weaves across the canvas, and it is difficult to establish thee exact order of application, as the same colours were used from start to finish, many of them appearing in both the early and late stages of painting. The combination of quickly applied but controlled brushed paint and more "accidental" thrown paint of different consistencies were applied across the great canvas with an energy that is evident in the effects that have been achieved.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews