Untitled (standing couple) 1936 - 1937

This untitled work by Rothko is done on paper and presents a standing couple. There's a real looseness to the way Rothko's put down the paint, almost like he's trying to find the image as he goes, and he's not afraid to leave traces of that search on the surface. Look at how he's handled the colors, that bold mix of blues, reds, and yellows against the dark background. It's like he's pushing the boundaries of representation, reducing figures to their most basic forms, and then charging them with emotional intensity. The paint looks thin in places, almost like a stain, and then thicker in others, creating a subtle texture that catches the light. It reminds me a little bit of some of Guston’s later figurative work. Rothko’s piece embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the table.