Untitled 1963

This large, untitled painting was made by Mark Rothko, with oils on canvas. The way Rothko layers these hazy, almost breathing rectangles of color, it's like he's inviting us into a slow, meditative process. Up close, you can see how the colors aren't solid, there is a depth and luminosity that comes from layering many coats of very thin paint. Look closely and you can see subtle variations within each color field, like the bottom of the central rectangle, where a shadow seems to emerge from the canvas. It is very subtle, but also very powerful. These are the kinds of details that keep me coming back to Rothko; the materiality is essential to its emotional impact. Think about someone like Agnes Martin and the way she also uses a restricted palette and simple geometric forms to create a sense of tranquility and contemplation. For both of them, ambiguity and openness are essential to the experience.