💰 Top Most Expensive Jackson Pollock Paintings Ever Sold
Here is the most up-to-date ranking (as of June 2026) of the highest prices ever paid for Jackson Pollock works — both private sales and public auctions:
| Rank | Painting | Year | Sale Price | Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number 17A, 1948 | 1948 | $200 million | Private sale | 2015 | Sold by David Geffen to billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin. Was the most expensive painting in the world at the time 🔥 |
| 2 | Number 7A, 1948 | 1948 | $181.2 million | Christie’s Auction 🇺🇸 | May 2026 | New all-time auction record for Pollock. Monumental drip painting from the legendary S.I. Newhouse collection. 4th most expensive artwork ever sold at auction 🏆 |
| 3 | Number 5, 1948 | 1948 | $140 million | Private sale | 2006 | One of Pollock’s most iconic and reproduced drip paintings 💎 |
| 4 | Number 17, 1951 | 1951 | $61.2 million | Sotheby’s Auction 🇺🇸 | 2021 | Previous auction record (Black Pourings series) |
| 5 | Number 19, 1948 | 1948 | ~$58.4 million | Christie’s Auction 🇺🇸 | 2022 | Classic early drip masterpiece |
| 6 | Number 31, 1949 | 1949 | ~$47–50 million | Christie’s Auction 🇺🇸 | 2022 | Strong recent auction result |
Note: Many museum-owned masterpieces (such as One: Number 31, 1950 at MoMA 🇺🇸 and Lavender Mist) have never been sold and would likely command $150–300+ million if they ever entered the market.
🖼️ Jackson Pollock’s Most Iconic Drip Paintings
These are some of Pollock’s greatest and most famous works:
- Number 7A, 1948 – New auction record holder ($181.2M) 🇺🇸
- Number 17A, 1948 – Highest private sale ($200M) 🇺🇸
- Number 5, 1948 – $140 million private sale 🇺🇸
- One: Number 31, 1950 – MoMA, New York 🇺🇸
- Autumn Rhythm (Number 30), 1950 – Metropolitan Museum of Art 🇺🇸
- Lavender Mist (Number 1, 1950) 🇺🇸
- Blue Poles (Number 11, 1952) – National Gallery of Australia 🇦🇺
- Full Fathom Five (1947) 🇺🇸
- Lucifer (1947) 🇺🇸
- The She-Wolf (1943) 🇺🇸
🇺🇸 Jackson Pollock – Full Facts & Biography
Paul Jackson Pollock (January 28, 1912 – August 11, 1956) 🇺🇸 was an American painter and the leading figure of Abstract Expressionism.
Born in Cody, Wyoming, he moved to New York and studied under Thomas Hart Benton. In 1945 he married artist Lee Krasner, who became his greatest supporter. They settled in Springs, East Hampton, where Pollock developed his revolutionary drip painting technique in his barn studio — placing huge canvases on the floor and flinging paint in energetic, rhythmic movements.
He struggled with alcoholism throughout his life and died at age 44 in a single-car accident on August 11, 1956.
His work completely changed modern art forever. Major retrospectives were held at MoMA in 1956, 1967, and 1998–1999 (also at Tate London 🇬🇧).
🛡️ Authentication & Buying/Selling Advice
- The definitive reference is the 1978 Catalogue Raisonné by O’Connor & Thaw 🇺🇸.
- The Pollock-Krasner Foundation does NOT authenticate paintings.
- Famous controversies include the 24 “Wainscott” paintings and high-profile forgery cases.
- Always use independent forensic testing and top experts before buying or selling.
Do you wish to buy or sell a Jackson Pollock? 🇺🇸
I currently have two Pollock paintings available. Serious collectors and sellers only — contact me for private, confidential discussions.
Reply with your name and email and tell me whether you want to buy or sell, and I will respond personally and discreetly.
I currently have this Jackson Pollock 1949 for sale
