Jackson Pollock pioneered Abstract Expressionism with a form known as "Action Painting," defining much of what we recognize as modern art. The story of his life has been told in many recently published biographies, but Hans Namuth's documentary video - "Jackson Pollock 51" - gives us a chance to see the master at work in his studio.

 Describing Pollock's style at his first encounter with the artist, Namath wrote:

"A dripping wet canvas covered the entire floor. . . . There was complete silence. . . . Pollock looked at the painting. Then, unexpectedly, he picked up can and paint brush and started to move around the canvas. It was as if he suddenly realized the painting was not finished. His movements, slow at first, gradually became faster and more dance like as he flung black, white, and rust colored paint onto the canvas. He completely forgot that Lee and I were there; he did not seem to hear the click of the camera shutter. . . My photography session lasted as long as he kept painting, perhaps half an hour. In all that time, Pollock did not stop. How could one keep up this level of activity? Finally, he said 'This is it.'"

For an exhibition of Hans Namath's photography, visit: http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/namuth/index5.htm

For an exhibition of Jackson Pollock's paintings at the Museum of Modern Art, visit:

http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4675&page_number=1&template_id=6&sort_order=1