Jackson Pollock Artwork Value | Prices, Originals vs Prints, How to Sell

At-a-glance: Jackson Pollock

The defining figure of Abstract Expressionism, Jackson Pollock revolutionized painting with his drip technique — and his market operates at the highest levels of the art world, with authenticated works among the most expensive ever sold.

Bio

Name: Paul Jackson Pollock (1912–1956)
Years Active: c. 1930–1956
Nationality: American

Style

Abstract Expressionism and "action painting." Drip and pour technique on floor-laid canvas using sticks, trowels, and house paints. Earlier work influenced by Thomas Hart Benton, Picasso, and Mexican muralists.

What to look for

O'Connor & Thaw catalogue raisonné listing (1978, plus 1995 Supplement), full "Jackson Pollock" signature (not "J. Pollock"), provenance to known galleries or Lee Krasner, and period-appropriate house paints verified by conservation analysis.

What Jackson Pollock works do people actually own?

Most Jackson Pollock items in private hands aren't the iconic drip paintings held by MoMA and the Guggenheim. Here's what people commonly find — and what they're typically worth. Unlike contemporaries such as Jasper Johns, who produced extensive print editions, Pollock's total output was small, making even minor works significant when authenticated. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction is the critical first step.

Reproductions & posters — Under $200
Museum shop prints, book plates, giclée copies, and decorative posters. These have no collectible value regardless of framing or age. Pollock reproductions are widespread — his imagery is among the most reproduced in modern art.
Original prints — $20,000–$500,000
Pollock produced approximately 50 print compositions across three periods: WPA lithographs from the 1930s (~12 compositions), engravings made at Atelier 17 with Stanley William Hayter in 1944–1945 (11 plates), and screenprints from 1951 (6 compositions in editions of roughly 25). All are scarce and rarely appear at auction. Condition, edition size, and period determine where a print falls within this range.
Works on paper — $500,000–$15,000,000
Drawings, gouaches, ink works, and small-scale drip compositions on paper. More accessible than paintings but subject to the same rigorous authentication requirements — catalogue raisonné listing and documented provenance are essential. Scale, medium, and period all affect value significantly.
Black pourings & late paintings (1951–1953) — $5,000,000–$25,000,000
Black enamel on unprimed canvas, often with figurative elements re-emerging from abstract forms. An important transitional period between the classic drips and Pollock's final works. Less sought-after than the iconic drip paintings but increasingly recognized by scholars and collectors.
Classic drip paintings (1947–1950) — $15,000,000–$200,000,000+
The all-over drip compositions that redefined painting — created by laying canvas on the floor and applying enamel with sticks, trowels, and gravity. The auction record is $61.16 million for Number 17, 1951 (Sotheby's, 2021), while private sales have reportedly reached $140–$200 million. Most major examples are in museum collections and never trade.

Pollock also produced roughly twelve sculptures, most of which were destroyed — the few survivors are held in institutions and essentially never trade. Upload your piece for a specific assessment based on current market data.

How to verify Jackson Pollock authenticity

Authentication is critical for Jackson Pollock — with no active authentication body and rampant forgery claims, provenance and documentation are everything. Before getting a valuation, gather these details:

Catalogue raisonné: O'Connor & Thaw's four-volume catalogue (1978) plus the 1995 Supplement No. 1 (48 additional works) — if your piece isn't listed, authentication faces extreme hurdles
No authentication body: The Pollock-Krasner Foundation stopped authenticating in 1995 and IFAR ceased operations around 2024 — no institution currently authenticates, making catalogue listing and provenance the only paths
Provenance chain: Direct connection to Lee Krasner, Peggy Guggenheim, Betty Parsons Gallery, or Sidney Janis Gallery provides essential credibility — gaps in ownership history are disqualifying
Signature verification: Pollock signed "Jackson Pollock" in full, often on the verso or hidden in paint layers — abbreviations like "J. Pollock" are a known forgery red flag
Scientific analysis: Period-appropriate materials (Duco and Devoe house paints, specific canvas types) can be verified by conservation scientists, though material analysis alone cannot prove attribution

Upload photos of the front, back, signature, and any documentation for a preliminary assessment.

Get Free Valuation

Jackson Pollock artwork FAQs

Start by checking the O'Connor & Thaw catalogue raisonné (1978, four volumes plus the 1995 Supplement), which remains the definitive reference for all Pollock works. No institution currently authenticates — the Pollock-Krasner Foundation stopped in 1995 and IFAR ceased operations around 2024 — so authentication depends on catalogue listing, unbroken provenance, and scholarly consensus. If you're unsure whether your piece is an original or a reproduction, that's the essential first step.

Reproductions — posters, giclée prints, and book plates — are worth under $200 and have no collectible value. Original Pollock works include scarce prints from the 1930s–1950s ($20,000–$500,000), drawings and works on paper ($500,000–$15,000,000), and paintings that can reach nine figures. The gap between a reproduction and an authentic work is enormous, so getting a proper artwork valuation is essential before making any assumptions.

Be cautious — claims of discovered Pollocks are extremely common and almost universally fail authentication. Without listing in the O'Connor & Thaw catalogue raisonné and documented provenance tracing to known sources (Lee Krasner, Peggy Guggenheim, Betty Parsons Gallery, Sidney Janis Gallery), a work faces near-impossible authentication hurdles. If you've inherited artwork that may be a Pollock, upload photos for an honest preliminary assessment.

The classic drip paintings from 1947–1950 are by far the most valuable, with major examples reaching $50,000,000–$200,000,000+ in private sales and the auction record standing at $61.16 million for Number 17, 1951 (Sotheby's, 2021). Black pourings from 1951–1953 and earlier figurative works command $2,000,000–$25,000,000 depending on scale and provenance. Among post-war American artists, Pollock's market rivals Basquiat and Warhol at the highest levels.

The right venue depends entirely on what you have and its value. Original prints ($20,000–$500,000) belong at major auction houses or specialist post-war dealers, while paintings and significant works on paper should go exclusively through Christie's, Sotheby's, or equivalent top-tier dealers. If you're looking to sell your artwork and it's valued above $1,000, our gallery network can connect you with the right specialists.

Pollock signed his full name — 'Jackson Pollock' — typically in the lower margin of works on paper or on the verso of paintings; abbreviations like 'J. Pollock' are a known forgery red flag. Many authentic works are unsigned or have signatures hidden within paint layers, so absence of a visible signature doesn't rule out authenticity. Compare any signature against documented examples in the O'Connor & Thaw catalogue raisonné and consider requesting a free appraisal for expert review.

How to sell Jackson Pollock artwork

Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Jackson Pollock pieces, where authentication and provenance are everything.

1

Get a valuation

Upload photos and we'll check your piece against the O'Connor & Thaw catalogue raisonné, assess condition and provenance markers, and provide a realistic market estimate within 24–48 hours.

2

Verify authenticity if needed

For works with potential catalogue listing, engage conservation scientists and Pollock scholars for material analysis and stylistic review. With no active authentication body, building scholarly consensus is the only path — and it requires patience and resources.

3

Choose the right channel

Prints ($20K–$500K): Major auction houses or specialist post-war dealers.
Works on paper ($500K–$15M): Christie's, Sotheby's, or Phillips contemporary art sales.
Paintings ($5M+): Major evening sales at Christie's or Sotheby's, or private treaty through top-tier dealers.

4

Prepare documentation

Compile every provenance record: purchase receipts, exhibition history, prior appraisals, conservation reports, and any correspondence linking the work to known Pollock sources. For an artist with no authentication committee, comprehensive documentation isn't just helpful — it's the entire case for your work's legitimacy.

Ready to get a free Jackson Pollock valuation?

Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, and any stamps or labels — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.