The artwork titled “No. 21” by Mark Rothko, created circa 1949 in New York, United States, is an exemplar of Abstract Expressionism and Abstract Art. Executed in acrylic and oil, the piece measures 203.2 x 100 cm. This abstract creation currently resides in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork features a prominent red field, occupying the majority of the canvas, interspersed with subtle variations in texture and color. The rich red hue dominates the visual space, occasionally interrupted by diffused patches of blue and purple tones along the edges and at the bottom. Rothko’s characteristic technique of layering translucent washes creates a sense of depth and luminosity. Through its minimalistic yet profound composition, the artwork invites the viewer to engage with color and emotion on a deeper, contemplative level, embodying the artist’s quest to evoke profound human feelings through abstraction.
