The artwork titled “Black on Dark Sienna on Purple,” created by Mark Rothko in 1960, is a significant piece within the Color Field Painting movement and is classified as abstract art.
The artwork predominantly features large rectangular shapes in deep, muted colors. The upper section is a broad expanse of intense black, slightly feathered at the edges, that fades into the dark sienna beneath it. The lower portion of the artwork consist of a dark sienna hue on top of a subtle purple background. Rothko’s use of these colors and their interaction evokes profound emotional responses, characteristic of his style. The simplicity of the shapes contrasts with the complexity of the color layering, enhancing the contemplative nature of the piece.