Untitled c. 1948

This 'Untitled' work on paper was created by Mark Rothko, an artist whose biography was deeply marked by his experience as a Jewish immigrant in America, and the cultural milieu of mid-20th century modernism. Rothko, who stated that he was interested in "only expressing basic human emotions—tragedy, ecstasy, doom," often used abstraction to bypass the representational, to tap into universal feelings. The washes of orange, yellow, and brown are evocative; they are imbued with a melancholic tone. Rothko's emphasis on color and form invites us to reflect on the human condition. It prompts us to consider themes of existence and the individual's place within the broader scope of society and history. This piece encourages introspection, fostering a space to contemplate our own emotions and experiences.