Lucifer by Jackson Pollock

This momentous piece sprawls across a giant canvas

Created, in 1947, using oil and enamel on canvas; Lucifer is arguably one of the more recognizable murals Jackson created.

The canvas stands at an impressive three feet tall and eight feet wide and is widely known as being the piece behind the emergence and popularity of Abstract Expressionism.

Lucifer was started by Pollock using light marks in grey paint. He moved onto dripping various colours including, orange, black and green paint.

These were flung through the air to create the non-traditional painting known today. Pollock was known to create his paintings by 'drawing in space', he used the areas around him to influence where the paint would drop.

His method of creating these works are behind the name of this piece. Lucifer is known as being the beautiful angel who fell from heaven, which Pollock felt was the perfect way to describe this art.

Painting this piece after the world had experienced turbulent and catastrophic times, Pollock described this emerging new form of painting as a way to see new beauty from chaos.

Jackson Pollock lived a difficult life; regarded as a reclusive and struggling with alcoholism for a large part of his life, Pollock only found peace with his wife. He died in a car collision at the age of 44, leaving behind a strong legacy and some of the world's most treasured pieces.