Lavender Mist Number 1 (Pollock)

Jackson Pollock : The web-weaving American artist.

Lavender Mist Number 1

Artist : Jackson Pollock

Artist’s lifespan : 1912-1956

Title : Lavender Mist Number 1

Date : 1950

Medium : Oil and other media

Original Size : 7ft 21/2 in x 9 ft 11in

Style : Abstract Expressionism

Genre : Abstract

Location : National Gallery of Art, Washington

 Pollock, an American painter, the commanding figure of the Abstract Expressionism movement.

                  A reviewer nicknamed him “Jack the dripper”

- Can you imagine why ?

Pollock said about his technique :“ it is essential to walk around it (colour), work from all four sides, and be in the painting “

- then, what is the subject of the painting ?

 Yet, his dripping, patternings are perfectly controlled.

- How is the composition defined by ?

 Vertical lines/ horizontal lines/ jerky lines(saccadées)/ smooth lines(régulières)/ interrupted lines(brisées) curvy lines(curvilignes)/ straight lines/ sweeping lines like a threadlike net or an intricate pictorial web. ?

 - Do these lines concentrate on one part of the picture or are they dripped all over the

canvas ?

 - Are they of the same thickness ? (épaisseur)

 - draw your conclusion.....................

 Have a look at the colours used.

 - then, what is the painting primarily composed of ?

 - Do the colours suggest the flower itself or do they convey atmospheric effect ?

 Conclusion : What does the painter want to create/ generate ?

Pollock has put his hands into paint.

- Where has he placed them in the picture ?

- Why do you think ?  What is this gesture reminiscent of ?

  As a conclusion, can you say why Pollock called his style “ Action Painting “ ?

 Homework :

  I/ Translate :

  Pollock’s technique :

1) He would walk around the canvas and throw paint on it from the edges. Loops and lashes resulted from it.

2) Then, there was the pouring, the overlay, one colour blending into another producing marble effects, mists, spots and speckles.

3) finally, the retouching and linkages were done with a brush.

II/ Write what you know about Willem de Kooning