Untitled (three nudes)

1933/1934

Mark Rothko

Associated Names
Mark Rothko

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

This painting depicts three abstract figures created with thick, curved lines. The brushstrokes in the painting are thick and visible. The figure in the center appears to be seated in a chair, their body facing us with their head turned to the right, while the two figures on either side are standing, facing the center. The figures all appear to be nude, their skin painted in shades of light gray and pale blue, with some highlights of orange and thick black outlines. They all have dark hair. The background is a blend of green and gray, with hints of orange and brown, with a stripe of dark blue and white at the top of the painting.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on black cloth

  • Credit Line

    Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc.

  • Dimensions

    overall: 40.3 x 50.5 cm (15 7/8 x 19 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.43.94

  • 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

  • Mid-Season Retrospective Exhibition, Contemporary Arts Gallery, New York, 1935, no. 30 or no. 31, as Bathers or Beach Scene.

2012

  • Mark Rothko, Portland Art Museum, Oregon, 2012, no catalogue.

Bibliography

1992

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 274, repro.

1998

  • Anfam, David. Mark Rothko: The Works on Canvas: Catalogue Raisonné. New Haven and London, 1998: no. 47, repro., as Bathers or Beach Scene.

Wikidata ID

Q20192929

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