“Tentacles of Memory” is an abstract artwork created by Mark Rothko in 1946, falling under the Surrealism movement. It is housed in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) located in San Francisco, California, United States.
The artwork presents an abstract and surreal depiction, suggesting a fluid interaction of forms and lines that evoke a sense of memory and consciousness. Elongated, thin, and wavy black lines extend and interweave across the canvas, resembling tentacles. These lines originate from and connect to various circular and elongated shapes scattered across an otherwise subdued background. There is a notable use of muted colors such as browns, grays, and earthy oranges, with occasional pops of blue highlighting certain areas. The overall composition can be perceived as an ethereal dance of forms, invoking a dreamlike state that aligns with the themes of Surrealism.