Untitled 1945 - 1946

Mark Rothko made this untitled painting with oil on canvas. At first glance, the colours seem muted, almost melancholic. But look closer, and you’ll see how the paint is applied in layers, creating a sense of depth. It's like Rothko is inviting us to witness the actual process of art-making. What really grabs me is the contrast between the thick, almost sculptural brushstrokes in the lower section and the thin washes of color above. It's like two different worlds colliding on one canvas. There’s a particular swirling gesture in the upper left corner that seems to encapsulate the entire painting. It’s chaotic, yet somehow balanced. Rothko's work reminds me a little of Philip Guston's later paintings. Both artists embraced a kind of raw, unfiltered expression, allowing the paint itself to speak volumes. And like all great art, this piece leaves you with more questions than answers, which is precisely the point, isn't it?