The artwork, titled “No. 301,” created by Mark Rothko in 1959, is an exemplary piece within the Color Field Painting movement and falls under the genre of abstract art. This artwork showcases Rothko’s signature style of using large areas of solid color to evoke emotional and contemplative responses from the viewer.
In “No. 301,” the viewer is presented with a composition that consists of three horizontally aligned rectangular blocks. The upper and lower sections exhibit a vibrant red hue. The middle area contains a slightly darker, more subdued red with hints of purple emerging subtly at the edges. The rectangles appear to be floating against a backdrop that is slightly lighter at the borders, creating an ethereal and limitless sense of space. Rothko’s expert use of color and form in this painting seeks to engage viewers on an emotional level, encouraging introspection and a personal connection to the artwork.