Untitled 1948

This untitled painting was made by Mark Rothko, sometime in the mid-20th century, with oil on canvas. You can see how he builds up the image through layers and layers of color, almost like he's feeling his way through the painting. Looking closely, you see how the reds and blues fight for space, grounded by that earthy brown. It's as if the colors are having a conversation, pushing and pulling against each other. The paint isn't too thick, but you can still feel the texture of each stroke, each decision Rothko made in the moment. Notice that heavy dark purple mark in the upper right, it’s like a counterweight for the lighter elements below. Rothko's work always reminds me a bit of Clyfford Still, another artist who wasn't afraid to just let the paint do its thing. There are no answers here, just a space to wander around and let your mind do what it wants.