Untitled

1946

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

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

The image features fluid swirling shapes and rough brushstrokes creating an abstract composition. Black lines loop around green and shadowy forms resembling leaves or plants. Soft blues and whites are centrally located, reminiscent of a cloud or mountain peak in a hazy sky. Yellow hints spread outward like rays of sunlight, with darker patches resembling shadowed terrain. Brown tones contrast, possibly evoking a texture similar to wood or stone.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 100 × 70 cm (39 3/8 × 27 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.66

  • 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

1999

  • Extended loan for use by Chief of Staff John Podesta, The White House, Washington, D.C., 1999-2001.

Bibliography

1983

  • Ashton, Dore. About Rothko. New York, 1983: 108, repro.

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 308, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 316, repro.

Inscriptions

upper center reverse: 1946 / MARK ROTHKO

Wikidata ID

Q20193931

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