Untitled c. 1944

Curator: Rothko’s Untitled watercolor drawing, circa 1944, presents us with a series of biomorphic forms in a largely muted palette, punctuated by bright red splatters. Editor: My first impression is disquiet. The muted tones coupled with the aggressive red spatters create a visceral contrast. It looks almost like a scientific diagram gone wrong, like an experiment splattered on the page. Curator: Indeed. The shapes invite various symbolic interpretations: the stacked ovoid form, for example, could be interpreted as an abstracted human figure, burdened or perhaps reaching upwards. Notice how the internal lines suggest inner turmoil or movement within these forms. Editor: From a material perspective, it is fascinating to see Rothko using watercolor and drawing at this stage. There's a directness and immediacy to these materials, almost a sense of trying to quickly capture fleeting thoughts before they disappear. Curator: The seeming randomness of the red marks feels intentional— perhaps alluding to blood, trauma, or even passion. These scattered forms contribute to a sense of disrupted equilibrium, creating tension within the composition. It breaks the visual harmony. Editor: The sparseness is equally striking. The visible paper becomes a vital part of the composition, underscoring the material support, the "ground" from which these floating shapes emerge. There's something very modern about leaving that unworked space as a crucial visual element. It acknowledges the physical limits. Curator: Considering Rothko's trajectory towards pure color field painting, it's intriguing to view this work. Are the biomorphic forms the chrysalis for his later rectangles? Editor: It feels incomplete to me, more of an idea than a finished piece, but seeing that bare paper, I do feel the beginnings of a shift toward emphasizing surface and material. A crucial stage. Curator: Ultimately, Rothko presents a raw glimpse into the artist's evolving vision and unique artistic development. A testament to transformation and the power of symbolic language. Editor: A material investigation, that perhaps unconsciously clears the space, both visually and conceptually, for the artist's future endeavors. Fascinating to trace it.