UNTITLED (V, B, O, Y ON W & R)

This painting has many color shapes working together on a light beige background. The style is a precursor to Rothko’s mature style of a large canvases with blocks of color. This painting is inspired by the grandness and luminosity associated with religious imagery of the Virgin Mary. The grandness and luminosity carry over to his mature style.

DETAILS:

1949
Oil On Canvas
81 1/2 x 66 in.
207 x 167.6 cm
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Gift, Elaine and Werner Dannheisser and The Dannheisser Foundation
78.2461
© 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York