Objective Critique

This oil on canvas piece by Mark Rothko is an abstract expressionist painting that combines a bold use of warm colors with the use of large rectangular shapes. Two of the shapes are a mixture of orange and yellow while the top shape is closer to yellow, but each of the shapes are longer than they are tall. The background is a primarily red with a light dusting of white flaked throughout the painting. Rothko uses shapes to create proportion in this piece. This can be seen in the use of variation in the size of each rectangle to ensure there is adequate focus distributed among the focal area. He uses shape to create unity. This can be seen in that the composition is created using three rectangular shapes that are each different heights, as they get closer to the top of the painting. Rothko uses space to create a sense of unity. The red background space is the glue that holds this piece together and without it, would feel more disjointed. Rothko does use the Elements of Art and Principles of Design effectively in this piece.