The artwork titled “No. 37/No. 19 (Slate Blue and Brown on Plum)” was created by Mark Rothko in 1958. Exhibiting within the Color Field Painting art movement, this abstract oil painting measures 241 x 229 cm and is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork consists of a large canvas dominated by a deep, rich plum color that serves as the background. Upon this background, two prominent rectangular forms are situated. The upper rectangle is rendered in a slate blue hue, with edges that softly diffuse into the plum background, creating an almost ethereal transition. Below it, a smaller brown rectangle anchors the composition, maintaining Rothko’s characteristic use of diffuse boundaries and layered color fields. The juxtaposition and subtle interplay of these colors evoke a deeply emotional and contemplative experience for the viewer. Rothko’s masterful implementation of color and form encapsulates the essence of abstract expressionism, focusing on the emotional resonance conveyed through simple, yet profoundly effective, visual elements.
