Untitled

1943

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

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

The image displays an assortment of lines and shapes forming an abstract composition. There are a mix of curves, angles, and intersecting forms. Some elements resemble familiar objects, such as a suggestion of a peacock with a green outline and feathers, a central figure that mimics owl's eyes with a circular design, an elongated loop and spiral shape resembling a fish or musical note, and a cluster of triangular shapes at the bottom which could be interpreted as mountains or an origami design. The background consists of dark and earthy tones, framing the abstract arrangement.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 100 x 69.8 cm (39 3/8 x 27 1/2 in.)
    framed: 109.4 x 79.2 x 6.7 cm (43 1/16 x 31 3/16 x 2 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.62

  • 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: 297, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 226, repro.

Inscriptions

upper center reverse: MARK ROTHKO

Wikidata ID

Q20193485

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