Pollock's 'Number 1A, 1948' Blue Identified

Scientists have identified the origins of the blue color in Jackson Pollock's painting 'Number 1A, 1948' as manganese blue, a vibrant synthetic pigment. This is the first confirmed evidence of Jackson Pollock using this specific blue. Researchers from institutions like Stanford University and the Museum of Modern Art used laser spectroscopy to analyze paint scrapings, revealing the chemical fingerprint of the pigment. The discovery, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, contributes to understanding art conservation and authentication. Manganese blue was phased out in the 1990s due to environmental concerns.