Untitled [verso] 

Editor: This intriguing piece is a pencil sketch called "Untitled [verso]" by Mark Rothko. The sketch, focused on figuration and what appears to be a portrait, strikes me as fragile, almost ephemeral, given the lightness of the lines. How do you interpret this work, particularly given Rothko's more known abstract expressionist paintings? Curator: It’s interesting to view this early sketch in relation to Rothko's later, better-known work. Before his color field paintings, Rothko was deeply engaged with figuration and portraiture. This piece could be viewed through a lens of artistic exploration and identity formation. Think about the historical context: early 20th century, a period rife with social and political upheaval and a changing understanding of selfhood. Editor: So, this sketch is like a precursor to his later work. But how does identity figure into it? Curator: Rothko, born in Russia as Marcus Rothkowitz, grappled with issues of identity and assimilation. This early engagement with portraiture could represent an attempt to understand and depict human form within a rapidly changing society, maybe to negotiate representation, before he turns to abstraction. How does the incomplete nature of the sketch resonate with you in terms of identity? Does the fragility suggest a sense of vulnerability? Editor: Yes, definitely, the incompleteness conveys a feeling of searching. I hadn't thought about Rothko's personal background influencing his approach to the figure in this way. Curator: Consider also the power dynamics inherent in portraiture: Who has the power to represent whom? For an immigrant artist, representation becomes a very critical concern. The move toward abstraction might be seen as a response to, or even a rejection of, those representational constraints. Editor: That gives me a totally different view! I always thought of portraits just as a visual thing. Now I'm seeing how historical, cultural, and personal factors changed his perspectives and influenced him. Curator: Exactly! Viewing artwork within a broader framework reveals so much. Hopefully it highlights how social history and personal experience impacts art production.