No. 18 1946

Mark Rothko’s No. 18 is an oil on canvas painting which invites us to consider the relationship between material, process, and meaning. Rothko built up layers of thin paint, a technique that required careful preparation and a deep understanding of the material’s properties. The painting’s hazy, luminous quality comes from the way Rothko manipulated the oil paint. He thinned it down, almost like a dye, allowing it to stain the canvas. This wasn’t just about applying color, it was about coaxing the paint into a state of atmospheric presence, demanding time and physical labor. The soft edges and blurred boundaries aren’t accidental; they’re the result of a deliberate, meditative process. Rothko’s approach to painting wasn’t so different from that of a skilled craftsman, patiently working with their materials. Ultimately, understanding the craft behind Rothko’s seemingly simple compositions allows us to appreciate the depth of his artistic vision, challenging the traditional divide between fine art and craft.