Really interesting print, thanks for posting. Here's a painting of his from the same era: https://www.albrightknox.org/artworks/1974829-cotton-pickers

I don't care for his abstract work, but I really do like what's posted above, as well as the Cotton Pickers work.

Fascinating. In my ignorance, I never knew that he had any other style than abstact expressionism.

I think there is a misconception, particularly among people who don't like abstraction, that abstract artists paint that way because they aren't competent at more conventional painting, but most abstract expressionists started somewhere else.

Seeing the development of an artist’s style and possibly psychology is so interesting. to those who dont enjoy abstract style it’s often surprising that an artist has classical training and ability. abstract expressionist art is so much about process and deeply personal.

the Picasso museum in Barcelona has pieces of his adolescent work and continues through changes in style. the building is from the 13th century and you feel both the very old and contemporary aspects of architecture as you pass through.

Pollock had reached the end point of drip painting as far as he was concerned, which is what really put his alcoholism into high gear, and led to his death. He was starting to explore sculpture after he stopped with the drip paintings. Another artist who people don't really get is Mark Rothko, and his technique was actually very complex as well.

I like it, and would never have guessed fhe artist.

Love it! Wouldn't have guessed artist but am not surprised. Love his abstract work as well. (I love too many styles. :))

Some abstract expressionists painted for the WPA and painted in a relatively recognizable WPA style. Rockwell Kent, Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, Reginald Marsh, all painted in a style that says WPA to me and while they did not become abstract impressionists, others like Rothko and Pollock, Krasner and de Koonig while they did paint for the WPA, did evolve into abstract painters.

I call Pollock's later works nonrepresentational, and I reserve the term abstract to describe art that refers to actual objects, but I know that not everyone does this. One of the first things I learned in art class was how to create abstractions from actual objects, and this came very easily to me.

I do prefer Pollock's later works to his earlier ones.

From the WPA to the CIA for many of those artists. Government support matters ;-)

Zalco, have you read Louis Menand's The Free World: Art and Thought in the Cold War? Although not the main thrust of the book, he includes a discussion of the CIA's involvement in the arts during that period. It's a fascinating read.

@lisaam, I also thought of the Barcelona Picasso Museum when I read Pal's comment about people thinking abstract expressionists weren't competent at realism. It's been 34 years since I was there, but it was a memorable collection tracing his journey as an artist.

I thought I had commented earlier, but without the signature I never would have guessed the artist in the OP.

the Pollock piece that Pal shared has a sweet charm that isnt apparent in the drip paintings. the blinders on the mule kill me and the kid looks almost like baby Jesus in the the manger.

Now that i have lots of free time i’d like an art history class. Recommendations? maybe i’ll see if theres still time to audit something at our University.

Bookwoman, No I have not read that book. I learned about the CIA artist connection from one of my sons. I will order the book (from a local shop:-) Thank you so much.

lisaam, Of course in person classes are the most enjoyable, check local unis as well as art museums. In the meantime, Sister Wendy's art history series on PBS is great.

Wow, that is a shock. That style reminds me of so many children's books published in the forties. I have one about a horse, one about a bear hunt, (both of which I'm too lazy to walk upstairs and find the titles of, LOL), Blueberries for Sal, etc.

A great series for learning about modern art is Robert Hughes' The Shock of the New. It's from 1980, and is still brilliant.

oh yes, i remember that and loved it, thanks for the link

Pal, are you sure that is a Jackson Pollock piece? The signature is a bit off and the WPA pieces I have seen by him are much more reminiscent of Thomas Hart Benton. This is the only one I could find online right now and it certainly is quite different in style and execution. I am also not sure that most of the art produced under the WPA or the Treasury Relief Art Project were signed. Could be wrong on that, but the art was commissioned by and belonged to the federal government (not to the artist.) to be placed in public/government buildings,

Of course I don't know for sure, but I saw it in an auction of WPA artworks, an established auction house, and an estimate of $8000 for a relatively small lithograph.

His signature seems to vary quite a bit through the years, and his early drawings are also sometimes signed "Jack".

https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2010.393 says it is Pollock

I am also not sure that most of the art produced under the WPA or the Treasury Relief Art Project were signed.

There were a great many signed prints made under the auspices of the WPA. Here's more info about it: https://artmuseum.princeton.edu/learn/explore/collections-themes/wpa-progress

And here's the link to the Pollock, in case anyone wants to bid: https://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/Lots/auction-lot/JACKSON-POLLOCK-(1912-1956)-Stacking-Hay?saleno=2593&lotNo=19&refNo=791971

This is another Pollock work from the 30's done in a purely representational style. He was 23 when he did this--none of this is mature work. Thomas Hart Benton, by contrast was in his 50s during the WPA era, so was probably one of Pollock's influences.

I loved the Denver Art Museum the last time I was there for a conference.

The Picasso Museum is one place I’d really love to visit. Darn pandemic!

Yes, Benton was a mentor to Pollock. Have to say I am glad Pollock moved into abstract expressionism.

Thanks for the links Bookwoman and Oly!