Scientists confirmed the source of the bright blue pigment in Jackson Pollock’s painting Number 1A, 1948, now displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The work, nearly nine feet wide, shows the artist’s drip and splatter style and includes handprints at the top. The red and yellow colors had already been identified, but the blue remained uncertain. A study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that the turquoise shade came from manganese blue, a synthetic pigment used by artists until the 1990s. This finding was described as a significant step in understanding Pollock’s intentional use of color and was marked as a relevant and distinctive discovery in modern art research. Scholars noted that the work also carries artistic value beyond science.

To confirm the result, scientists tested small samples from the painting with laser technology. The method created a chemical fingerprint that matched manganese blue. Experts explained that the pigment was once used in swimming pool cement but stopped later for environmental reasons. Researchers added that this study is beneficial for art preservation, since understanding pigments can help protect artworks and identify forgeries. The cooperation between art and science was remarkable. It helps protect culture for future generations.