The Party 1938

"The Party," painted in 1938, is an early work by abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. Unlike his later, more famous color field paintings, this work depicts a group of figures in a room. The figures are rendered in a simplified, almost cartoonish style with flat planes of color and simplified forms. The composition is dynamic, with figures interacting in a seemingly spontaneous scene, hinting at a sense of energy and social engagement. This painting showcases Rothko's early exploration of form and color, which would later develop into the iconic, minimalist style he is known for.