Untitled [verso] c. 1944 - 1946

This mixed-media artwork on paper was made by Mark Rothko in 1941. It is a composition of abstract shapes, with discernible objects such as vessels and faces emerging from the gestural lines and brushstrokes. The circular forms suggest a cyclical nature, echoing motifs of wholeness seen in mandalas or ancient sun symbols. Notice how Rothko uses line to create these face-like forms, imbuing them with a totemic quality. This can be seen as a modern interpretation of the ancient mask. The mask, throughout history, has served as a conduit to the spiritual world, a way to embody other entities. These faces evoke primal emotions tied to ritual and identity, engaging us on a visceral, subconscious level. The use of abstraction invites viewers to project their own emotions, connecting us to a collective unconscious that is constantly evolving. In this way, the faces, vessels and abstract shapes resurface across centuries, shifting in meaning yet retaining their power to move us.