Untitled (head)

1938/1941

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

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

The image shows a painting of a person's upper body, focusing on their head and shoulders. They are facing forward with a neutral expression. The facial features are stylized with broad strokes, including slightly elongated eyes, a straight nose, and full lips. The hair is light brown with defined curved brushstrokes, styled in a swept-back manner. The person is wearing an outfit with a high collar adorned with vertical stripes in shades of grayish-blue and white. The background is a warm, earthy brown color with loose, textured strokes. No jewelry or objects are visible in the painting.
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 51.1 cm (16 x 20 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.110

  • 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: 290, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 143, repro., as Untitled [Female Head].

Inscriptions

lower left reverse, sideways: MARK ROTHKO

Wikidata ID

Q20193181

You may be interested in

Loading Results