Untitled c. 1944 - 1946

Here we have an Untitled artwork by Mark Rothko, made with watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper. The layering of watercolor and gouache, combined with graphite lines, creates a multi-dimensional effect. Rothko’s material choices – the absorbent paper, fluid watercolors, and opaque gouache – all play a part in the artwork's visual qualities. The paper’s texture absorbs and diffuses the colors, while the varied opacities allow certain layers to peek through, creating depth and luminosity. The process, from the application of the first wash to the final graphite mark, contributes to the artwork’s layered, almost ethereal quality. The intentional combination of mediums and the way they are manipulated are integral to the final aesthetic, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft by emphasizing the importance of process and material understanding.