Wes Phillips

The Science of Jackson Pollock

Wes Phillips  |  Feb 10, 2006

Richard Taylor analyzed a selection of Pollock's paintings and found them "composed of distinct fractal patterns," even though Pollock was working long before the science of fractals was refined. Now pattern analyses may prove critical in determining the authenticity of 32 possible Pollocks.

COMMENTS
Jeff Wong's picture
Submitted by Jeff Wong (not verified) on February 18, 2006 - 7:12am

While I was in London, I visited the Tate Modern, and saw some Pollocks that I wouldn't have pegged for Pollocks. It'll be interesting if this method of analysis could help determine if the ones in question that look typically Pollock are genuine. I suppose it makes sense... unique set of arms and range of height or distance from the canvas with a tendency towards repetitive motions - I can imagine there being a fingerprint to this kind of action painting, not unlike a baseball pitcher's style or tennis player's movements that you can spot based on the motion at a distance, or a friend's gait as you spot him or her approaching from a few blocks away.

X