Jackson Pollock Painting Worth $140 Million: The Legacy of Number 5, 1948

In the world of fine art, few names command as much attention or financial power as Jackson Pollock. Known as the pioneer of the "action painting" movement in the United States, Pollock’s drip technique revolutionized the mid-20th-century art scene.

While his life was tragically cut short in a 1956 car accident, his notoriety and the market value of his works have only soared in the decades following his death.

Among his most legendary achievements is a specific Jackson Pollock painting worth $140 million, a masterpiece known simply as Number 5, 1948.

When this iconic piece changed hands in May 2006, it didn't just break a record; it set a new benchmark for what the world’s most elite collectors were willing to pay for modern expressionism.

The Record-Breaking Sale of Number 5, 1948

On May 22, 2006, the art world was stunned when Number 5, 1948 was sold in a private transaction for a staggering $140 million. At that moment, it became the most expensive painting ever sold, holding the title for five years until April 2011.

This sale price cemented Pollock’s status as a titan of the art market, proving that his "chaotic randomness" had a value that transcended conventional beauty.

Physical Characteristics of the Masterpiece

What exactly does a Jackson Pollock painting worth $140 million look like? Number 5, 1948 is a large-scale work, measuring 8 by 4 feet. Interestingly, it was not painted on a traditional canvas but on fibreboard. Pollock utilized liquid synthetic resin paints—though these were officially recorded as oil paints during the work's classification—to create the dense, intricate layers that define the piece.

The color palette is earthy and sophisticated, featuring thick, interwoven shades of:

• Yellow
• Brown
• White
• Grey

The Unusual Origin and Repainting of No. 5

One of the most compelling aspects of this specific Jackson Pollock painting is its history of survival and transformation. The version of Number 5, 1948 that exists today is actually a result of accidental damage and an impulsive decision by the artist.

Shortly after it was completed in 1948, the painting was reportedly damaged during handling. Initially sold in early 1949 for a mere $1,500, a portion of the paint actually fell off the board.

Pollock, true to his perfectionist yet radical nature, didn't just patch the hole. He decided to repaint the entire work. Fortunately, the new owner was even more delighted with the second version, which eventually became the world-renowned $140 million treasure we recognize today.

Why Jackson Pollock’s Paintings Command High Prices

The value of a Pollock isn't just in the paint or the board; it’s in the history and the technique. As an artist who pioneered the "all-over" drip style, Pollock’s work represents a pivotal moment in American art history. Each piece is characterized by an energetic, physical process where the artist moves around the board, pouring and dripping paint to create a sense of movement.

Beyond Number 5, 1948, other works have reached even higher heights or significant auction records:

• Number 17A, 1948: Sold privately for $200 million in 2015.
• Number 17, 1951: Auctioned at Sotheby’s for $61.1 million in 2021.
• Number 19, 1948: Sold for $58.4 million at Christie's in 2013.

The Role of Provenance and Media

For many of these works, their value is tied to their fame. For instance, Number 17A gained its breakthrough celebrity status after being featured in a four-page spread in Life magazine in 1949. This media exposure transformed Pollock from a niche artist into a household name, significantly driving up the long-term investment value of his portfolio.

Comparing Number 5 to Pollock’s Other Works

While the Jackson Pollock painting worth $140 million is perhaps his most famous "number" painting, it exists alongside a variety of styles within his "action painting" period.

Different Techniques and Materials

• Monochrome Variations: While Number 5 is multi-tonal, Pollock also experimented with single shades. Number 17, 1951, for example, was created using only black enamel paint on canvas, marking a departure from his dense, multi-layered drip style toward more figure-based forms.
• Enamel and Aluminium: Later works, such as Composition with Red Strokes (1950) and Number 31 (1949), incorporated aluminium paint and gesso, adding a metallic sheen and varied texture to the "all-over" composition.
• Evolution of Style: Early works like Red Composition (1946), which sold for $12 million in 2020, show a looser, less dense technique. Comparing this to the $140 million Number 5 demonstrates how Pollock’s pouring method evolved into the complex, tightly woven layers that characterize his most valuable period.

The Valuation: Insurance vs. Sale Price

When discussing the worth of these iconic paintings, it is important to distinguish between sale price and insurance value. While Number 5, 1948 is a Jackson Pollock painting worth $140 million based on its last private sale, other works carry even higher theoretical valuations.

A prime example is Blue Poles (1952), also known as Number 11. Owned by the National Gallery of Australia, this painting is said to have an insurance value of approximately 350 million Australian Dollars.

Because many of Pollock’s masterpieces have remained in private collections or museums for decades, they do not often hit the open market. If they were to be sold in today’s digital and high-tech era, many experts believe they would fetch prices far exceeding their previous records.

The Enduring Appeal of Action Painting

Why does the world remain so fascinated by a painting created in 1948? In an era dominated by complex digital processes and AI-generated art, the simplicity and raw energy of Jackson Pollock’s action paintings offer something uniquely human.

Fans and collectors around the world continue to be drawn to the "chaotic randomness" of his work, seeing it as a pure expression of the artist's physical presence.

The story of the Jackson Pollock painting worth $140 million is more than just a financial record; it is a testament to a man who changed the rules of art. Whether it is the dense layers of Number 5, the bright primary colors of Number 17A, or the monochrome simplicity of his later black enamel pieces, Pollock’s work continues to grow in fame and value with each passing year.

Summary of Major Sales

Whether you are an aspiring artist or a seasoned collector, the legacy of Jackson Pollock serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most valuable things come from the most unexpected techniques. From a damaged fibreboard to a $140 million masterpiece, the journey of Number 5, 1948 remains one of the greatest stories in art history.

Conclusion

The story of Number 5, 1948 captures everything that makes Jackson Pollock a towering figure in modern art—innovation, risk, imperfection, and enduring influence.

What began as an experimental work on fibreboard, even damaged and repainted early in its life, ultimately became a $140 million benchmark that redefined the value of abstract expressionism. Its record-breaking sale was not just about price, but about recognition of a moment when American art permanently changed direction.

More than seven decades later, Pollock’s action paintings continue to resonate because they embody raw human movement and emotion in a way few artworks can. Number 5, 1948 stands as proof that artistic revolutions are rarely neat or predictable, yet they can shape culture and markets for generations.

From its chaotic surface to its extraordinary valuation, the painting remains a powerful symbol of how originality, history, and bold vision can transform even the most unconventional creation into a timeless masterpiece.