Pioneer of the Abstract Expressionist movement, Jackson Pollock (1912 – 1956) was known best for his drip and splash technique wherein the artist poured or splattered liquid household paint onto a horizontal surface. These became Pollock's most famous paintings and include "Number 17A," which was reported to have been purchased privately in 2016 for $200 million. Pollock had a volatile personality and struggled with alcoholism for most of his life. He challenged the Western tradition of using an easel and brush and instead used brushes, paint, and the force of his whole body to paint onto large canvases. His work incorporated elements of Cubism, Surrealism, and Impressionism and his legacy includes an impressive body of work as well as a number of biographies, biopics, retrospectives, and movies. He is a famous symbol of the alienated modern artist.
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