The artwork “Stenographic Figure” was created by the noted Abstract Expressionist artist Jackson Pollock in 1942. This piece is an oil on canvas that measures 40 by 56 centimeters and exemplifies the abstract genre. Currently, the artwork is housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
In “Stenographic Figure,” one observes a swirling tableau of forms, colors, and lines that seem to dance across the canvas, defying traditional pictorial representation. The use of vibrant hues, interspersed with scrawls and figures, creates a sense of dynamism and rhythmic movement. The composition is layered, with a multitude of elements intertwining and overlapping, generating depth and complexity. The artwork lacks a discernible focal point, encouraging the viewer’s eye to move fluidly throughout the canvas, discovering new forms and associations. This piece is indicative of Pollock’s earlier works before he fully embraced the “drip” technique that would later define his most famous pieces. The amalgamation of spontaneous line work with abstracted forms in “Stenographic Figure” conveys the free-spirited and emotive nature of Abstract Expressionism, a movement that revolutionized art in the mid-20th century.
