Untitled c. 1944

This untitled work was made by Mark Rothko using watercolor and graphite on paper. The casual nature of these materials is surprising, given Rothko’s reputation for large-scale oil paintings that overwhelm the viewer. Here, the graphite lines create a loose scaffolding for the washes of color. Notice how the fluidity of the watercolor allows for the creation of translucent layers and soft edges. These visual qualities are not accidental, but rather a result of embracing the inherent properties of the materials. The way the colors bleed into each other, and the subtle variations in tone, give the work a delicate, almost ethereal quality. The choice of such simple, accessible media also suggests an interest in the immediacy of the creative act. There’s no heavy machinery or industrial processes at play here, just the direct interaction between the artist, the materials, and the paper. This piece reminds us that even in the realm of high art, the fundamentals of craft and making remain essential.