The Pollock family had five boys, two of whom were artists—the oldest son Charles and the youngest, Jackson. As one would expect, Charles spent much of his life and career in Jackson’s shadow. The brothers were both originally influenced by the Regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton, but they took their inspiration in different directions: Charles, toward American scene painting (he later moved to abstraction); Jackson, toward the mythic “action” paintings that would earn him international recognition and lasting fame. Now, 70 paintings and works on paper give viewers the chance to discover Charles, who died in 1988, while an intimate selection of works—ranging from paintings and photographs to one of only two surviving notebooks from the 1950s—offer a largely new look at the young Jackson. —J.V.

Charles and Jackson Pollock was featured in the January 30, 2021 issue of Air Mail. Read on