Untitled 1945

This untitled painting was made by Mark Rothko, using oil on canvas. Rothko embraced the qualities of his materials, focusing on the texture, weight, and form of the pigments. The visible brushstrokes and layered applications of paint reveal the physical act of creation, imbuing the work with a sense of energy and immediacy. Rothko was less interested in traditional artistic skill, and more in the direct application of paint to canvas. By doing so, he brought the labour of art-making to the forefront. His engagement with materiality and the creative process challenges conventional notions of artistic skill and authorship, inviting viewers to appreciate the physicality and process of art. This reminds us of the wider social issues of labor, production, and consumption. It’s a radical approach that defies distinctions between fine art and craft.