Scientists have confirmed the source of the strong blue pigment in Jackson Pollock’s Number 1A, 1948, which is displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The large painting, almost nine feet wide, shows Pollock’s famous drip and splatter style, along with handprints near the top. While earlier studies already identified the red and yellow pigments, the blue color remained uncertain. In a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,a famous science journal, researchers discovered that the turquoise tone came from manganese blue, a synthetic pigment used widely by artists until the 1990s. This finding is considered a noteworthy advance in art studies and shows Pollock’s deliberate decision in his use of color.

To confirm the result, scientists took small samples from the canvas and tested them with laser technology, creating a special pattern that matched manganese blue. Experts stated that this pigment, once also used in swimming pool cement, was later stopped because of environmental concerns. Researchers said the study brings significant information for conservation, since knowing pigment chemistry helps protect artworks and identify forgeries. Scholars described the discovery as a remarkable step in cultural science and pointed out its constructive role in linking art with chemistry. This cooperation demonstrates how modern tools can solve mysteries of history and safeguard artworks for future generations.