A stolen Jackson Pollock painting and a family's pain - an intriguing mystery unfolds.
The Power of a Painting
Imagine a painting so powerful it can bring a grown woman to her knees. That's exactly what happened to Merry White, or 'Corky', as she's known, when she stumbled upon a Jackson Pollock painting at the National Gallery of Art. This particular painting, titled 'Number 7, 1951', held a special significance for Corky, as it had once hung above her bed as a child.
The painting, created during a brief period when Pollock was experimenting with figurative art, features a female figure with a divided face, reminiscent of late Picasso. The left side of the canvas is a chaotic mix of tilting verticals and drip-like splotches, similar to Pollock's famous 'Blue Poles'.
For Corky, this painting not only represented a connection to her father, Reginald Isaacs, who acquired it directly from Pollock, but it also evoked memories of a troubled past.
A Troubled Past
Corky's visits to Pollock's home in Springs, East Hampton, were often uncomfortable. Pollock, known for his intense anger and volatility, was often drunk and sometimes violent. She felt vulnerable and unprotected in his presence, but couldn't express her feelings due to her parents' pride in their friendship.
Reginald Isaacs, a professor at Harvard University, was drawn to Pollock's fame and wore his proximity to the artist like a badge of honor. Despite the negative associations, 'Number 7, 1951' remained above Corky's bed.
The Theft and its Aftermath
In 1973, thieves broke into the Isaacs' apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts, stealing 'Number 7, 1951' and two other Pollock paintings. One of those, 'Painting 1028', remains missing to this day. The theft triggered not only unpleasant childhood memories for Corky but also a sense of loss and uncertainty.
The Isaacs family's apartment was located in Riverview, Cambridge, and Reginald Isaacs, an internationally recognized expert in regional planning, had a unique connection to Pollock, having bought several of his works directly from the artist.
Their friendship began in the 1940s, before Pollock's rise to fame. Isaacs, an open-minded art enthusiast, paid for the paintings over time, often in small monthly installments.
As Pollock's fame grew, so did his struggles with mental health and financial instability. Isaacs continued to support him, acquiring more artwork, including 'Lavender Mist', one of Pollock's most celebrated pieces.
The Final Visit and Pollock's Demise
By the time of the Isaacses' final visit to Springs in 1956, Pollock was creatively blocked and consistently inebriated. His marriage to Lee Krasner was failing, and he had started an affair with Ruth Kligman. Krasner's return to the studio only fueled Pollock's resentment and cruelty.
During this visit, Pollock's behavior was erratic, and he even tried to give Mark Isaacs, Reginald's son, a dangerous archer's bow. The family's time with Pollock was marked by tension and unease.
Two months later, Pollock died in a car crash, leaving behind a legacy of artistic brilliance and personal turmoil.
The Aftermath of the Theft
The theft of the Pollock paintings from the Isaacs' apartment sent Reginald Isaacs into a spiral of legal and financial woes. He became terrified of publicizing his connection to Pollock, wanting his name removed from museum labels and art catalogs.
For the next decade, Isaacs battled insurance and liability issues, his notes during this time resembling the scattered, half-formed sentences of a man struggling to maintain his sanity.
The Recovery of 'Number 7, 1951'
It was a long and winding road to the recovery of 'Number 7, 1951'. The painting was eventually found in a hotel room, rolled up like a rug and buried in a plastic trash bag. Isaacs sued the building's trustees, and the painting's value was estimated at around $1 million.
Two other stolen Pollocks, however, remained missing, and their recovery proved far more challenging.
The Search Continues
Fast forward to 2014, and a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations received a tip about a potential return of stolen artworks, including the missing Pollock. The source, representing an organization, wanted compensation in exchange for the paintings.
The organization first returned Picasso's 'La Coiffeuse', a small cubist painting, to demonstrate their sincerity. Then, they provided instructions for the return of the missing Pollock, but the source went silent, and the painting remains missing.
A Visit to the Pollock-Krasner House
Corky, now a professor emerita of anthropology at Boston University, visited the Pollock-Krasner House in East Hampton, a place she hadn't been to in almost 70 years. She had armed herself against any dramatic feelings, but the visit evoked strong memories of her teenage years and the sense of unease she felt in Pollock's presence.
As she walked through the house, she noticed the studio floor still spattered with Pollock's paint, a reminder of the artist's chaotic presence.
A Complicated Legacy
For Corky, Pollock's legacy is a complicated one. She has tried to forget him, yet she inherited his record collection and other low-value items, including letters from Pollock to her father. The possibility of the third painting's recovery and its potential financial security for her and her family is a constant reminder of the artist's impact on her life.
The Controversy
Pollock's art continues to divide people. While he is considered one of the most important American cultural figures of the 20th century, many still struggle to understand and appreciate his work. The emotional traces left by his paintings, and the stories they evoke, add another layer of complexity to his legacy.
What are your thoughts on Pollock's art and its impact on those around him? Do you think the missing painting will ever be found? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
