description Blue Poles Overview
Blue Poles, formally titled Blue Poles: Number 11, 1952, is a large abstract painting by Jackson Pollock. Its layered surface was made through poured, dripped, and applied paint, while eight strong blue diagonal forms create a repeated structure across the composition. The National Gallery of Australia acquired it in 1973 for US$1.3 million, prompting extensive public debate about government spending, modern art, and the value assigned to a contemporary American painting.
insights Ranking position
Blue Poles ranks #95 of 160 in the Painting ranking, behind Swans Reflecting Elephants, ahead of The False Mirror.
help Blue Poles FAQ
Where can I see Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles?
Blue Poles: Number 11, 1952 belongs to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. Because museums sometimes move works for loans or gallery rotations, visitors should confirm that it is on display before traveling.
Why was Australia's purchase of Blue Poles controversial?
The Australian government approved its purchase in 1973 for about A$1.3 million, an unprecedented sum for the country at the time. Critics disputed both the cost and Pollock's abstract style, turning the acquisition into a national political and cultural argument.
How many blue poles are in the painting?
Eight strong blue forms cross the layered surface of the painting. Their repeated diagonal rhythm gives structure to the poured and dripped fields of color beneath them.
Did Jackson Pollock paint Blue Poles only by dripping paint?
No, Pollock used several methods and materials, including poured, dripped, and directly applied paint. The prominent blue forms appear more deliberately placed than the surrounding web of marks, which complicates the idea that his work was purely spontaneous.
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