Mural, Jackson Pollack
Jackson Pollock, Mural, 1943, oil and water-based paint on linen, University of Iowa Museum of Art
In the annals of abstract expressionism, Jackson Pollock's "Mural" stands not only as a colossal canvas but as a testament to the turbulent, revolutionary spirit of an artist on the cusp of redefining the very essence of painting. Commissioned in 1943 by the visionary patron Peggy Guggenheim, this monumental work unfolded in a dance of rebellion against traditional artistic norms.
Pollock's journey to "Mural" bore the indelible marks of financial struggle and a chance encounter with destiny. Having studied under American muralist Thomas Hart Benton and the Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, Pollock found himself at a crossroads. The canvas emerged as an alternative to a wall painting, a portable testament to the dynamism of his evolving style. Peggy Guggenheim, recognizing the potential in Pollock's unconventional approach, commissioned "Mural" for her home, where it would hang as a radical statement of artistic liberation.
The creation of "Mural" did not unfold in a single night, as some myths suggest, but rather over a span that saw layers of oil paint coalesce into a tumultuous visual symphony. The canvas, the largest ever graced by Pollock's hand, signaled a departure from traditional easel-style methods—a moment of liberation that reverberated through the very fabric of the art world.
As we gaze upon the expanse of "Mural," a torrent of organic movement ensues. Repeated images ripple through the canvas, creating a rhythmic dance that echoes Pollock's interest in surrealism and the surrealist concept of automatism. While not employing his signature drip technique, the flow of paint reveals a canvas hung vertically during production—a departure that hinted at the future trajectory of his groundbreaking methods.
The painting, however, remains enigmatic in its narrative, inviting viewers into a realm of subjective interpretation. Faces, figures, birds, numbers, and letters emerge and recede, teasing the boundaries of recognition. In this canvas, Pollock taps into the surrealist concept of collective consciousness, allowing for a multiplicity of meanings to emerge organically from the viewer's mind.
Over time, the physical deterioration of "Mural" became a poignant metaphor for the transience of artistic creation. Its journey led it to the University of Iowa, where restoration efforts were attempted, and eventually to the Getty in Los Angeles, where meticulous lab tests and further restoration unfolded in 2012. The painting's resilience, both as a physical entity and a symbol of artistic rebellion, resonates across decades.
"Mural" stands as a masterstroke in the evolving symphony of Jackson Pollock's oeuvre—a moment of bold experimentation that laid the foundation for the groundbreaking works that would follow. It embodies the restless spirit of an artist seeking not only visual expression but a profound redefinition of the very essence of art itself. In its pulsating energy and enigmatic forms, "Mural" remains a beacon of artistic rebellion—a testament to the enduring power of a singular vision that defied convention and ushered in a new era in the realm of abstract expressionism.
