“**Sacrifice of Iphigenia**,” created in 1942 by Mark Rothko, is a figurative artwork that falls within the Surrealism art movement. This piece is housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
The artwork features an abstract composition, characteristic of the Surrealist movement. Dominated by warm tones of yellows and oranges, the piece juxtaposes a series of irregular geometric forms and organic shapes. On the left side, a dark, triangular form, which may symbolize a sacrificial pyre, intersects with angular red and green shapes that suggest architectural or structural elements. To the right, an abstracted, almost totemic figure rendered in pale, flesh-like tones appears to pivot upward, reminiscent of a divine or mystical presence. The background is imbued with a rich, textured ochre, lending the composition an evocative depth. The painting harnesses a blend of vivid colors and distinct lines to convey a scene of ritual and mythological resonance, reflecting Rothko’s early explorations in figuration and abstraction within the Surrealism paradigm.