Untitled

1946

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

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

The image features curved and circular lines intersecting with vertical and horizontal shapes to create a textured composition. Some shapes resemble an hourglass form in the center, flanked by complex, jagged patterns on either side that suggest the silhouette of fish or birds. The colors include brown, beige, blue, and orange, contributing to the abstract appearance reminiscent of organic forms.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 70.2 x 91.4 cm (27 5/8 x 36 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.80

  • 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

1993

  • Extended loan for use by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, The Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1993-

  • Extended loan for use by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1993-2020.

Bibliography

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 306, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 295, repro.

Inscriptions

lower left reverse, inverted: MARK ROTHKO

Wikidata ID

Q20193940

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