Number 31 - Jackson Pollock

"Number 31," created by Jackson Pollock in 1950, is a representative work of the expressionism abstract, a movement that broke with traditional pictorial conventions through the use of innovative techniques and approaches. This painting is an outstanding example of the drip style for which Pollock is famous, characterized by the spontaneous application of paint directly from the can onto the canvas, which lies horizontally on the floor, allowing a dynamic and physical interaction between the artist and his work.

The work uses a vast scale that envelops the viewer in an almost immersive visual field, where lines and colors intertwine in a complex weave of textures and forms. Pollock developed this technique as a way to express his unconscious, allowing the act of painting to become a physical record of the artist's psychology, a concept deeply rooted in the psychoanalytic theories of his time.

This enormous canvas seems to reflect apparent chaos, but it also reveals a sense of underlying order and continuity that the abstract artist carefully orchestrated through his rhythmic and controlled movements. This method of "goteo" challenged existing notions of painting and composition, placing Pollock at the center of the modern art scene.

The impact of this work and its technique extends beyond the artistic realm; it also influenced contemporary perceptions of the autonomy of the artistic process and the role of the artist in creating meaning. It is emblematic of how abstract expressionism facilitated a freer dialogue between the creator and the material, exploring the infinite possibilities of the pictorial medium.