Abstract Composition c. 1944

Mark Rothko's "Abstract Composition" from 1944 is a watercolor painting that showcases the artist's early style. The piece is characterized by its use of abstract shapes and forms, with a vibrant palette of pink, red, and green. The composition is dynamic and energetic, with overlapping lines and shapes that create a sense of movement and depth. The painting demonstrates Rothko's experimentation with abstract expressionism, which would later evolve into his signature style of large, colorful rectangles. While the painting is small in scale, it embodies Rothko's later artistic aspirations to provoke emotional responses in the viewer.