Pollock masterpiece to be cleaned up

One of the nation's most controversial art acquisitions has been temporarily taken off display for the first time in 20 years so that it can be cleaned.

The $1.3 million purchase of Jackson Pollock's 1952 painting Blue Poles by the Whitlam government in 1973 divided public opinion.

Now worth more than $200 million, the abstract painting is regarded as one of the most popular works of art with visitors to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.