Untitled (girl with pigtails) c. 1934

Mark Rothko painted this "Untitled (girl with pigtails)" using oil on canvas. The materiality of the oil paint is key to this portrait. Rothko's visible brushstrokes give the work a sense of immediacy, as if he captured the subject in a fleeting moment. The thick application of paint creates texture and depth. Observe how the brushstrokes are not blended smoothly but remain distinct, giving the painting a tactile quality. The colors, applied in layers, convey the weight and form of the young girl's body, highlighting her pigtails and dress. Rothko's choice of oil paint, a medium traditionally associated with fine art, is also significant. By engaging with this established material, he positioned himself within a historical lineage of artists while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of portraiture. It is a wonderful example of how material and process intertwine to create meaning in art.