The Story of No. 5: A Jackson Pollock Painting Worth $140 Million

Imagine a painting that was once sold for a mere $1,500 and eventually fetched a staggering $140 million. In the high-stakes world of fine art, few names carry as much weight—or as much controversy—as Jackson Pollock. 

While his "drip" style was once mocked by critics as chaotic, one specific masterpiece, No. 5, 1948, eventually shattered world records and redefined what a jackson pollock painting worth $140 million looks like in the modern market.

But what makes this specific fiberboard canvas so special? It isn't just the price tag; it’s the incredible "human" story of its creation, its destruction, and its eventual rebirth.

The Story Behind No. 5, 1948: From Damage to Masterpiece

Measuring a massive 8 x 4 feet, No. 5, 1948 is a quintessential example of Pollock’s "action painting." Using liquid synthetic resin paints (often classified as gloss enamel), Pollock moved away from the traditional easel to lay his fiberboard flat on the floor. 

The result is a dense, "bird’s nest" of yellow, brown, white, and grey layers that capture a moment of pure, rhythmic energy.However, the painting we see today isn't exactly the one Pollock first finished. In 1949, the work was purchased by Alfonso A. 

Ossorio for $1,500. During delivery, the piece was damaged, and a section of the paint—described as the "skin" from a paint can—actually fell off, leaving a smear in the center.

When Pollock offered to fix it, he didn't just patch the hole. In a fit of artistic perfectionism, he repainted the entire thing. 

He famously believed that the new owner wouldn't notice, but fortunately, Ossorio was even more pleased with the final result, claiming it had gained a richness and depth that the original lacked.

The $140 Million Sale: Who, When, and Why?

In November 2006, the art world was stunned when news broke of a private sale brokered by Sotheby’s. Entertainment mogul David Geffen, the founder of Geffen Records, reportedly sold No. 5, 1948 for $140 million.

At the time, this set the record for the highest price ever paid for a painting, surpassing Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. 

While the buyer was widely rumored to be Mexican financier David Martinez, the transaction remains one of the most talked-about moments in art history.

Why Is It Worth So Much?

The astronomical value of a Pollock isn't just about the paint on the board; it’s about scarcity and historical innovation:

• Scarcity: Most of Pollock’s major "drip" works are locked away in museums like MoMA. Finding a large-scale 1948 masterpiece in private hands is incredibly rare.

• Action Painting & Innovation: This painting represents the peak of Pollock’s revolutionary period, where he fundamentally changed how art was made by using his entire body to "pour" emotion onto the canvas.

• Historical Breakthrough: 1948 was the year Pollock truly found his voice, a period that earned him international fame and celebrity, notably through a four-page spread in Life magazine.

A Legacy in Numbers: Other High-Value Pollocks

While No. 5 is the famous jackson pollock painting worth $140 million, it is part of an elite club of high-value masterpieces that continue to rise in notoriety:

Painting	Sale Price	Year of Sale
Number 17A, 1948	$200 Million	2015
Number 5, 1948	$140 Million	2006
Number 17, 1951	$61.1 Million	2021
Number 19, 1948	$58.4 Million	2013

Beyond these sales, other works like Blue Poles (Number 11, 1952) carry even higher insurance values, with some estimates reaching 350 million Australian Dollars.

Conclusion: The Enduring Worth of Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock’s work remains a lightning rod for debate. Whether it is a "monochrome appearance" that reveals hidden layers of red and turquoise upon closer inspection, or the sheer "all over" density of his drip style, the market has clearly sided with his genius.

The story of the jackson pollock painting worth $140 million reminds us that art is more than just an object; it is a piece of history and a testament to an artist who dared to break every rule. 

As the world moves toward increasingly complex digital processes, the raw, human energy of a Pollock drip painting only becomes more valuable.