Figure Composition

1936/1937

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

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

The image displays an assembly of rectangular and curved shapes interwoven in an abstract composition. It features three humanoid figures with simplified, blocky faces. The figure on the left is flanked by vertical stripes, while the figure on the right has a patterned, textured surface. Behind them, a backdrop of rectangles and squares in a pinkish hue appears.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 40.7 x 50.9 cm (16 x 20 1/16 in.)
    framed: 56 x 66 x 8.9 cm (22 1/16 x 26 x 3 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.51

  • 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

Exhibition History

1937

  • The 'Ten': Art Auction Benefit of Spanish Children, 85 Clark Street, Brooklyn, 1937, no. 29.

1992

  • Extended loan for use by Ambassador Adrian Basora, U.S. Embassy residence, Prague, Czech Republic, 1992-1995.

2008

  • American Artists from the Russian Empire, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, The University of Oklahoma, Norman; The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg; State Tretiakov Gallery, Moscow; San Diego Museum of Art, 2008-2010, no. 95, repro.

Bibliography

1978

  • Carter, Malcom N. "Art, Money, and the Troubles of Mark Rothko." Horizon 21 (1978): 25, repro.

1983

  • Ashton, Dore. About Rothko. New York, 1983: 58, repro.

1984

  • Januszczak, Waldemar. "Elusive Art." The Guardian (1984): 8, repro.

1989

  • Chave, Anna C. Mark Rothko: Subjects in Abstraction. New Haven, 1989: 52, repro.

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 285, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 91, repro.

Inscriptions

lower right, sideways: Rothkowitz; center left reverse, diagonally: M Rothko; lower right reverse, diagonally: Rothkowitz

Wikidata ID

Q20193030

You may be interested in

Loading Results