Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock both developed their painting styles in New York during the 1940s and 1950s. They were a part of the group of artists known as the abstract expressionists. Although each of the artists associated with this movement worked in a very individual style, they were linked by the desire to find a new means of artistic expression. Rather than including recognizable objects in their work, they used the elements of painting such as color, line, shape, brushstrokes, texture, and light, to express emotions. Their influences included Native American, pre-Columbian, Mexican, and African art, along with the modern European movement and surrealism, which looked to dreams and the unconscious for subject matter. The paintings are completely abstract, with no recognizable objects from the real world, or non objective, and the purpose of their art is to create e

There are many comparable qualities between two specific works by the two artists; Pollock’s most ravishing, atmospheric painting, Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist), and Rothko’s, Orange and Tan Both abstract works present the audience with new concepts: Rothko presents the idea of simply viewing color as a work of art, and Pollock presents brilliant methods and beautiful chaos.

Because of his use of unique technique and his brilliant innovations expressed through his art, Jackson Pollock was more of a success than Mark. Pollock\'s very large piece, Lavender Mist has nice untraditional horizon lines on which perspective relies. All artists in that time would routinely use oil-based paints brushed onto a piece of already stretched canvas. Rather, Pollock took a large piece of untreated canvas, spread it on the ground and used cans, sticks, garden trowels and stirrers to apply oils, enamels and aluminum house paint to the surface. The canvas was not stretched until ithe painting was finished. Pollock would first lay the canvas on the ground and drip paint onto it. He said that it was essential to “walk around it, work from all four sides, and be in the painting.” Part of the result is random, but there is much evidence of control. Pollock’s technique allows us to envision his movements while creating the painting. In Lavender Mist, Pollock did not have an established horizon line or a foreground/background relationship in which to focus the eye. Instead, the focal points are erratic and by not using formal art elements to show a three dimensional relationship in the space, Pollock was able to use the varying thicknesses of paint to his advantage therefore creating an immense three-dimensional feel to the work. The painting is defined by sweeping lines of dripped and splattered paint; a web that fills the canvas. In gesture art, line and mark making are important elements to create movement. Polloc’k’s accentuated strokes move across the canvas while clearly defined black and white strands establish unity and balance.

In The National Museum of Art, Lavender Mist is displayed on a wall by itself. This adds to the grand gestured lines

Some topics in this essay:
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