Blue (Moby Dick) is a painting by American artist, Jackson Pollock, created circa 1943 during the Abstract Expressionism movement. The painting is an exemplar of the “all-over style” characterized by a dominance of blue color and no clear focal point. The composition board measures 47.6×60.6 cm and features structured shapes in black, yellow, orange, and white.
The creation of Blue (Moby Dick) involved gouache and ink materials. Pollock’s use of erratic splashes of paint is meant to convey his emotions at the time he painted it. This goes hand in hand with his belief that titles are less important than the personal truths conveyed in his art pieces.
Currently located at the Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki, Japan, this artwork was once titled Moby Dick but has since been renamed Pasiphae by a curator at the Museum of Modern Art.
In summary, Blue (Moby Dick) reflects Pollock’s mastery over abstract expressionism through its intricate use of blue color with other colors expertly layered to create depth and structure unconventionally on its composition board canvas.
