Entrance to Subway 1938

"Entrance to Subway" (1938) by Mark Rothko depicts a scene of urban life in the early 20th century. The painting's muted colors and simplified forms, typical of Rothko's early style, create an atmospheric and evocative portrayal of a subway entrance. The composition focuses on the geometric shapes of the architecture and the figures, suggesting a sense of anonymity and isolation within the bustling city environment. The painting's muted palette and lack of detail emphasizes the feeling of isolation and anonymity in urban life. The scene, with its focus on geometric forms and simplified figures, suggests a sense of alienation within the city, foreshadowing the more abstract works that Rothko would become known for later in his career.