Seated Nude

c. 1934

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

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

The image shows a full-body depiction of a person in a seated position. The figure is leaning slightly forward with their left arm resting on their knee, and the right arm appears to be supporting their position from behind. The person's head is turned to the side. The facial features are abstract and not distinctly detailed, with a strong nose and mouth hinted at with bold brush strokes. The hair appears dark and falls loosely over the shoulders. The person is not wearing any clothing, and the depiction leverages broad and expressive brushstrokes that emphasize the contours of the body. Surrounding them is a chair or stool indicated by red coloration beneath them. The background is composed of dark, muted green and brown tones with small dots scattered throughout.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on hardboard

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 91.6 x 71.3 cm (36 1/16 x 28 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.29

  • 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

1935

  • First Exhibition - The Ten: An Independent Group, Montross Gallery, New York, 1935-1936, checklist no. 23.

Bibliography

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 275, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 58, repro.

Inscriptions

lower right: M.Rothkowitz; across center reverse, sideways: M.Rothkowitz / Main Room; upper left reverse, sideways: NUDE

Wikidata ID

Q20192959

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