Untitled (Seagram Mural sketch) 1958

This "Untitled (Seagram Mural sketch)" was made by Mark Rothko, likely in the late 1950s, with oils on canvas. The reddish browns and deep burgundies are laid down in layers, creating a surface that feels both velvety and cavernous. Up close, you can see how Rothko built up the color, thinly in some areas and more thickly in others, allowing the underlayers to peek through. Take a look at those dark vertical bars – they aren’t solid; they shimmer with variations, like looking into a shadow. The way he blurs the edges makes the forms feel like they're breathing, expanding and contracting. This piece reminds me of Ad Reinhardt, another artist obsessed with color and darkness, but Rothko’s work feels more emotional, more human. Ultimately, this painting isn't about answers. It's about feeling, about letting the colors wash over you and seeing what emerges.