Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Jackson Pollock, oil, 1932
Untitled, by Jackson Pollock, oil, 1932

Untitled is an oil painting by Jackson Pollock. It dates from 1932 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

About this work

Overview

This small painting on a wooden cigar box, created around 1932, is an early work by Jackson Pollock. It measures a modest size and is executed in oil and crayon.

Subject & Meaning

The lid of the box depicts a scene with figures standing near a tree, set against a background of rough, uneven brushstrokes suggesting mountains or hills. The dominant colors are browns, blues, and reds.

Technique & Style

The painting's gestural mark-making and use of an unconventional support, a wooden cigar box, demonstrate Pollock's early experimentation. The visible strokes and smudges convey a sense of rapid execution.

History & Provenance

The work is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, representing a precursor to Pollock's later, more renowned abstract expressionist style.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jackson Pollock

Artist

Jackson Pollock

Paul Jackson Pollock (; January 28, 1912 – August 11, 1956) was an American painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.