Abstract Composition in Purple, Blue, Pink, Black, and Gray c. 1944

"Abstract Composition in Purple, Blue, Pink, Black, and Gray" is a watercolor painting by American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, completed around 1944. The artwork features an abstract composition of geometric shapes and swirling lines, painted in a limited palette of purple, blue, pink, black, and gray. This early work by Rothko demonstrates his developing abstract style, as he explored the power of color and form to evoke emotion. It exemplifies his transition from figurative work to a more abstract and gestural approach, laying the groundwork for his later, iconic color-field paintings. The work is also indicative of the artistic trends that emerged in New York during the mid-20th century, as artists sought to break away from traditional representational art.