Portrait and a Dream Essay

Abstract expressionists, James Pollock created an abstract full of symbolically hidden messages, called The Portrait and a Dream, 1953.   First impressions that are given off by this painting sends messages of confusion, anger, hopeless dreams, perhaps the inner thought and feelings of the artists when he made the abstract. The art work portrays someone who furiously scribbled many lines across the canvas in no controlled manner, working from hostile and angry emotions. If music was made to match this painting, it would not be smooth jazz or classical, but like rap with an angry fast techno beat producing violence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When considering the title of the painting, and looking at the line arrangements, Pollock was telling a story about his frustrations over empty dreams. Dull, plain off color canvas is chosen as the background for this art. To the right is a very black and Halloween orange colored head, perhaps an indication of what is going on in his mind as he was painting; or it could be a resemblance of him in his sleep at night. The main theme or point behind this painting appears to send messages to let someone know this person is upset. Many artists write songs, create paintings, choreograph dances to get certain points to someone who has made them upset. Pollock seems to be sending an underlying message to one person, a person who somehow blocked him from his achievements, even though many people are fascinated with this abstract. To the center gearing to the right, is an eye that can be of human form. The rest of the face takes on the identity of an animal, perhaps a wild cat. The selected mixture of autumn colors with hidden images of a cat peaking through to the audience implies this painting applies to Halloween, or fall season. The overall shape of the Halloween colored ball or head has a few stray extensions leading away from the ball. The head is looking toward the mass of confusion, on the left side of the painting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the left side, is many scribbled black lines, portraying confusion, or despair. The black fills in some of the empty spaces overseeing the left side of the portrait. Most of the painting is hollowed or emptied, just lines zigzagging and crossing one another. A couple of potential faces are drawn into the scrambled lines. One of the faces centers the overall portrait, another is found at the bottom right side.   The face centering the portrait has clenched teeth, the eyes resemble anger. The potential face at the bottom right very much looks like a skeleton with cross bones, the national symbol for poison or danger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Looking at the overall view of this painting, the round colored object on the right of the painting is smaller than the confused lines on the left side of the painting. The drawing portion of the art fills up most of the space, dividing into two separate forms, lays against a solid background. The circular object on the right side resembling his own head, revealing the inner secretive contents looking out at the painting resembling confusion, indicates that his confusion, despair and hopelessness is , perhaps to much for him to bear. The interpretations of this painting can be limitless. However, anyone can look at this painting, instantly recognize this painting is not conveying a pleasant, peaceful or calm tonality.   Lack of bright contrasting colors may portray images or ideas that are the total opposite of confusion. Someone else may interpret the hidden meanings of the abstract portrait as lots of energy, or hyperactivity, unable to sit still or even a pleasant excitement.