Untitled 1945

Mark Rothko made this painting with oils on canvas, using soft grays, blacks and pinks to create a very ambiguous composition. Looking at those blurred edges, I wonder how the painting came into being? Was it built up slowly in layers, or was it immediate and intuitive? I sympathize with the artist, imagining what it might have been like to create this work. What was Rothko thinking when he made it? I see how the paint is applied thinly, almost like a wash, allowing the surface of the canvas to remain visible. The texture feels smooth and delicate. There is an interesting contrast between the dark and light colors. A gestural mark makes me think of lightning; it is a dynamic element that communicates energy and tension. Rothko’s work, especially his exploration of color and form, has influenced many artists, and even continues to inspire painting today. He is part of a long exchange of ideas across time. Painting itself is a form of expression which embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.