Untitled (seated woman in striped blouse) 1933 - 1934

Editor: Here we have Mark Rothko's "Untitled (seated woman in striped blouse)," a watercolor drawing made between 1933 and 1934. There's a tension in the way the subject's features are rendered – the cool tones of the face and the angularity – set against the warmth of the overall palette. What do you see in this piece, from a formalist perspective? Curator: The most striking element, initially, is Rothko's use of color. Observe how the hues, predominantly warm reds and oranges, are juxtaposed with cooler blues and pinks. The lack of blended tones and sharp delineation emphasize distinct forms. Notice the striped blouse and the planar construction of the face: these structural elements speak to a simplified figuration, moving toward abstraction. Editor: It’s interesting how the striped blouse both defines and almost dissolves the form of the woman's torso. Is Rothko playing with the boundary between representation and pure form? Curator: Precisely. He seems interested in deconstructing the subject into constituent shapes and colors. Consider the surface quality as well. The medium of watercolor lends itself to translucency and fluidity. Rothko exploits this, allowing the underlying paper to contribute to the final image. The composition, too, warrants consideration: the seated figure occupies a relatively shallow pictorial space, pushing her forward and intensifying the viewing experience. Editor: So, rather than focusing on the narrative or the subject's identity, we're encouraged to consider the artwork as a self-contained system of form, color, and material? Curator: Exactly. The artwork’s value lies in the intrinsic interplay of these formal elements, rather than its representational accuracy or its external references. This is Rothko on the verge of his signature abstract style. Editor: Thank you. I now see how focusing on these formal elements allows us to understand a different dimension of the work. Curator: A pleasure. Focusing on the structural elements allow for an intimate encounter with Rothko's early artistry and method of simplification and refinement.