Pollock: One: Number 31, 1950

MoMA One on One Series

by Charles Stuckey (Contributor), Jackson Pollock (Artist)

In the late 1940s, Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), now recognized as one of the most important Abstract Expressionist artists, began experimenting with a new method of painting that involved dripping, flinging and pouring paint onto a canvas laid flat directly on the floor. This process engaged his entire body, and the resulting images were an index of the antic dancing energy he expended to create these works. "One: Number 31" (1950), among the handful of very large paintings he produced by this method, is a virtuoso showcase of his mastery of materials and technique. A lively essay by former museum curator Charles Stuckey offers an in-depth exploration of the painting, one of many groundbreaking works by Pollock in MoMA's collection.

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2013

Reviews

[Alex Gruenenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Energy and motion made visible." -Jackson Pollock

I bought this book as a teenager with a Jackson Pollock tie, having gone to MoMA and fallen in love with the piece that is the nearly sole focus of the book. Filled with beautiful pictures, I perceived it largely as a book to flip through, until I decided to read it cover-to-cover tonight. The prose is not only able to be read in one sitting, but designed in such a way that there is little other method for reading it. Reflecting the American West and numerous artistic influences, this is a deep dive into Pollock's work and career in the so-called "apocalyptic wallpaper" that I love so much.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This slim book (40 ish pages) has lovely colour reproductions of Jackson Pollocks paintings (as well as other artists works). The text does discuss One, Number 31 but also touches on who the artist was etc. Honestly, I was hoping the entire book focused just on this singular painting. If one wants more info on the artist there are plenty of other sources out there on Pollock. Anytime I’m in NYC I buy a ticket to MoMa just stand in front of this massive 18’ wide painting. I’d hoped this book would be “more” and help me realize what it is about this particular painting is so captivating.