Untitled (two women at the window) c. 1937

Mark Rothko painted this untitled work with oil on canvas. The materiality of paint is key here: notice how the brushstrokes build up layers of color, creating depth and texture. The painting feels provisional, a sketch almost, and this immediacy is part of its appeal. Rothko doesn't conceal the labor involved; rather, he puts it right on the surface. There's an honesty here, in contrast to the slick surfaces of mass production. Rothko engaged with modernism, a movement that often embraced industrial materials and processes. Yet, in this early work, we see him using traditional techniques, building up the image through manual application. This embrace of handcraft connects him to broader traditions of creative practice. Ultimately, this painting reminds us that art is not just about the final image, but also about the materials, the making, and the context in which it was created. It challenges the old divide between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the skill and labor involved in bringing an artwork to life.