Untitled

1940/1941

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

Painter, American, born Russia (now Latvia), 1903 - 1970

This painting shows abstract shapes and lines with a mix of colors. In the left section, there are large, overlapping teal forms resembling multiple connected faces, with spirals and curves suggesting hair and facial features. These faces intertwine with abstract lines below. On the right, there is a mannequin-like figure with an elongated neck and segmented body parts in shades of pink and red, standing rigidly within a rectangular frame. The background is in neutral tones of tan and blue-gray, with pops of teal, red, and dark brown.
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On View

East Building Tower Level, Gallery E615

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 50.8 x 70.8 cm (20 x 27 7/8 in.)
    framed: 60.2 x 80 x 6.8 cm (23 11/16 x 31 1/2 x 2 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.32

  • Copyright

    Copyright © 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel and Christopher Rothko

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist [1903-1970]; his estate; consigned 1970 to (Marlborough Gallery, Inc., New York); transferred 1977 back to the artist's estate;[1] transferred 1979 to The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc., New York; gift 1986 to NGA.
[1] For a detailed discussion of the transactions surrounding the Rothko estate see Lee Seldes, Legacy of Mark Rothko, New York, 1978.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 292, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 183, repro.

Inscriptions

center left reverse, sideways: M.ROTHKO

Wikidata ID

Q20193268

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