Rothko was a leading abstract expressionist painter in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. Designated color field painting, his style, based on compositions with color planes, was highly acclaimed. This work is from the last year of Rothko’s life. The composition in which rectangular planes of color are positioned on an oblong canvas is classic Rothko. The pink palette in the two rectangles and the variations in the brush strokes invite the continuous gaze of the viewer. The profound depth in the color, which is generated by the complex application technique, coupled with the large canvas, enfolds the viewer, engendering a contemplative mood.