Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a tempera drawing by Mark Rothko. It dates from 1945 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a 1945 drawing by Mark Rothko, created with a mix of watercolor, tempera, ink, and pencil on paper. It is an early work by the artist, who was associated with the American abstract expressionism movement.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing features distorted, biomorphic forms in bold reds and blacks against a pale green background. These shapes evoke figures, but their twisted, abstracted forms resist clear interpretation. The overall effect is one of dynamic energy.
Technique & Style
Rothko employed loose brushstrokes and thin lines to create a sense of vitality. The paper's texture remains visible in places, contributing to the work's rough, sketchy quality. The varied media used add to the drawing's expressive, spontaneous feel.
History & Provenance
Untitled is held in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art. It predates Rothko's signature color field style, which emerged later in his career.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mark Rothko ( ROTH-koh; Markus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz until 1940; September 25, 1903 – February 25, 1970) was a Latvian-born American abstract painter.
