Jackson Pollock, The Bird, 1938

Jackson Pollock’s 1938 painting The Bird represents a formative stage in the artist’s career, preceding his rise as a leading figure in Abstract Expressionism. During this period, Pollock was deeply influenced by Surrealism, Native American art, Mexican muralists, and the symbolic language of myth and the subconscious, all of which resonate throughout this intriguing early work.

In The Bird, Pollock presents a semi-abstract interpretation of a bird-like figure, merging recognizable avian elements with abstract and symbolic forms. The central figure may appear stylized or totemic, echoing indigenous art and mythological symbolism. Unlike his later drip paintings, this composition is more structured, with defined forms and a layered, almost narrative quality, yet it already demonstrates Pollock’s fascination with the psychological and spiritual dimensions of art.

The painting reflects Pollock’s study under Thomas Hart Benton and his exposure to Mexican muralists like José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros, whose influence is seen in the bold outlines and emotionally charged imagery. At the same time, there are traces of Carl Jung’s archetypes and dream symbolism, which Pollock explored during therapy sessions around this time—his interest in the unconscious mind and its expression through art would become foundational to his later work.

The palette in The Bird tends toward earthy tones, muted reds, and dark outlines, creating a sense of primal energy and mystical depth. The composition, though not yet fully abstract, pulses with an emerging tension and expressive intensity, foreshadowing the gestural dynamism of his mature style.

The Bird stands as a fascinating precursor to Pollock’s iconic drip paintings. It captures the symbolic and psychological exploration of his early work, and offers insight into the creative evolution of an artist who would go on to radically transform 20th-century art.