1912-1956
Astract Expressionist Artist

Notorious Celebrity.

Jackson Pollock was the art world's most notorious celebrity during the 1950s. Despite a long apprenticeship he came to prominence suddenly late in 1949, largely as a result of the advocacy of Nation art critic Clement Greenberg, who declared Pollock's greatness. In response to what many thought was an outrageous claim, Life magazine published a feature story titled "Jackson Pollock: Is He the Greatest Living Painter in the United States?" The article featured photographs of Pollock's huge drip paintings that consist of layers of multicolored paint spatters and quoted the artist as saying that when he painted he had to get "in" his paintings and "When I am in my painting I'm not aware of what I'm doing."

"Jack the Dripper."

Pollock made many enemies, among whom he was known as "Jack the Dripper." During the 1950s the Cedar Tavern in...