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Essay / Summary of Pollock's Theft of the Man - 1115
When first viewing this piece, the viewer is confronted with a hellish image painted on a delicate porcelain bowl. It is painted in grotesque colors that could potentially represent human anatomy, an idea of being within oneself. The scene consists of abstract, distorted figures that appear to be straining toward demonic forms. These archaic forms were thought to have developed from Pollock's own obsessive subconscious. At the center of these demons is a small, luminous figure that appears to be surrounded by a halo of bright light. This figure could be interpreted as Pollock's attempt to fight his own inner demons. Naturally, the viewer's eye is first drawn to this moment, since it is located at the center of the work. It's a powerful moment, leaving the viewer wondering where exactly the character is heading in the light.