JACKSON POLLOCK'S PAINTING PRICE

Jackson Pollock, Before the Drip

Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold at Auction-

#1 - Number 17A - Jackson Pollock - $200 Million

This painting was bought at auction by a Hedge Fund Manager for a whopping $200 million. The Hedge Fund Manager bought this and another very expensive painting making his total expenses at the auction exceed over $500 million! This specific painting is made as an oil on fiberboard and is titled as a ‘drip painting’. It was supposedly painted approximately a year after he developed his drip technique.

#2 - No. 5, 1948

This painting is said to have been sold by David Geffen and sold to David Martinez - managing partner of Fintech Advisory Ltd. It was sold in a private sale for around $140 million and Sotheby’s auctioneer, Tobias Meyer, is said to have brokered the whole deal. This painting happens to be the second most expensive painting that has been done by Jackson Pollock.

The history of abstract art in America begins with the work of one man - Jackson Pollock. His paintings are known for their bright colors and bold use of paint on canvas. He was born in 1912 in the small town called Cody, Wyoming and died at age 56 from cancer in 1956. In that time he created over 300 works of art including oil painting, watercolor, tapestry weaving and even some sculptures. You can see many examples of his artwork by visiting museums around the world or simply go online and search Google Images of Jackson Pollock. His most well-known piece "Convergence" (1948) is located in New York's Museum of Modern Art. 

About Jackson Pollock

Pollock worked as an auto mechanic while attending high school in Buffalo, New York. After graduating from college he enlisted into the U.S Army where he served from 1942 until 1947 when he returned home to finish up his studies at The School Of Visual Arts in New York City. At this point Pollock began showing signs of being a great painter. It wasn't until after World War II though that he started getting recognition for his talent. One thing people who view his work marvelously agree upon is how unique it all looks. There is no two pieces alike because each has its own style which makes them truly special.

In 1949 Pollock married Lee Krasner whom he met through mutual friends while studying art in New York. That same year they had a son named Jack; however, due to financial problems they moved several times before finally settling down in Springs, Long Island in 1950. During this period Pollock would often create large scale canvases using different types of paints and techniques like drip, pouring, spatter, etc... These were done outside so he could capture nature right onto canvas without any mess! If you want to learn more about these styles please check out my article entitled 'Drip Paint'. They lived off of money earned from selling prints and teaching classes. 

Jackson Pollock became an American citizen in 1952 but didn't start having big successes in sales until 1959 when he exhibited three different paintings at Le Grande salon du Jeune Artiste Moderne in Paris. This success led him to exhibit again in 1961 and 1962 in London and Rome respectively. However, things really took off for Pollock once he got back to the United States. He continued exhibiting his work at various galleries throughout Manhattan but none seemed to be quite right for him. Then in 1964 Pollock decided to try something new and visit Mexico. While there he discovered Tepic, Nayarit which led him to settle himself permanently in the area. From here on out he focused solely on creating his artistic masterpieces. Although he taught during 1978, 1979 and 1980, he mostly concentrated on painting instead. He also traveled to California and Europe occasionally to show his work. Unfortunately, Pollock passed away in May of 1956 from colon cancer brought on by alcoholism. Today his death anniversary is observed every year by fellow artists. A memorial exhibition was displayed and celebrated in 2006 at Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice Italy. On August 25th 2007 President George W Bush signed a presidential proclamation designating Pollock's birthday as National Painting Day in the US. Pollock's first wife Lee died in 1998 and his second wife Edith died in 2005. Their sons are both painters too, namely Mark Rothko, Paul Jackson Pollock Jr., Nicholas Sammis, Zachary Richard Pollock, Jonathan Jackson Pollock and Peter Martin Pollock.

Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner with Krasner’s Family

Today we know Jackson Pollock as perhaps the greatest modern American artist ever. But what exactly made Jackson Pollock such a great painter? Was it just luck? Or was it skill and determination combined together? Maybe it was a little bit of everything. Some believe that his drip paintings took little to no skill and all he would do is throw paint all over a canvas and call it ‘art’. I believe that he did have a true natural gift when it came to creating drip paintings as they are all super unique and look like they took a lot of work. Some say it was a natural gift from God whereas others believe it came from hard labor and perseverance. Everyone knows that it takes drive and passion to become successful in anything whether your goal is painting, writing poetry or building skyscrapers. So if anyone tries to tell you differently then do not listen to them. Instead look inside yourself and find out why you're driven enough to achieve greatness. If your passion is art and painting, keep pushing that passion and do something differently that nobody in the art world is doing and you will surely succeed in this world. Exactly how Jackson Pollock did back in his time, look at his name today. He is everywhere, people think of him when they think of great artists in this world. You can be the next one. Good Luck!