This article will compare and contrast Full Fathom Five by Jackson Pollock created in 1947 and Flag by Jasper Johns created in 1954-55 (dated 1954 on the back). Full Fathom Five is a great example of the Abstract Expressionist period and Flag is a work that embodies Neo-Dada. Both works were created in the United States. To compare and contrast the two works, this article will discuss the materials, methods, characteristics that reflect each movement, and the historical and/or social events that influenced the works. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Full Fathom Five is made with oil on canvas with nails, tacks, buttons, a key, coins, cigarettes, matches and more. Most of the small objects were covered in drops of thick oil paint while others, such as several nails, a button and a cigarette, were visible from the silhouette where the paint was thinner, or from objects placed later in the process. These objects do not appear to add any meaning to the piece. They could be scattered around the studio and Pollock simply felt the need to add them to his work. Flag used in encaustic together with oil, collage on fabric mounted on three plywood panels. The 48 stars on the blue background formed one panel, the stripes to its right another, and the long stripes below two, the third. It seems that Johns created this way and let the shapes and sizes of the flag dictate it. In conclusion, regarding materials, the artists shared the qualities of using oil paints and incorporating non-pictorial elements into their works. Pollock primarily used paint on canvas while Johns used encaustic, oils and collage on plywood. Pollock is most famous for his drip paintings. Full Fathom Five was one of the first paintings in which he used this method. The base of the piece is sprinkled with directionless paint applications. There is no normality or balance in the way he puts colors on the canvas. Random objects seemed to have been thrown at you as there are none in some places and there are clumps of them in others during the painting process. They added to the voluminous texture. In addition to thick paint applications, he sprayed thin black and silver enamels all over the piece. There are no patterns or drawings, just drips of paint in every direction and all around. Overall, this gave the piece, what my 2D Fine Arts professor would call “vibes”. On the other hand, when you look closely at Flag, a collage of torn newspapers is visible beneath the waxy layers of paint. You can almost read the lyrics and see the comics everywhere. After careful consideration, I deemed these to have no significance. The brush strokes are visible and maintain their shape despite drips of the wax and paint mixture. The stars appeared to have been individually cut and glued. The three panels appear seamless with the texture of the paper and paint creating a tactile surface. Although the brushstrokes recalled abstract expressionism, the way he painted was not emotional but focused. After all, Johns' work is a recognizable symbol of the American flag, while Pollock's piece is a very interesting imageless painting, full of expressive strokes and drips. Aside from the drips, which brought more gravity to the work, and the expressive brushwork, the two pieces were created with totally different methods. Another key difference from the works of Jackson Pollack and Jasper John is the period in which they were created. Full Fathom=1.