Rothko Subway Scene Essay

Prior to 1940 Rothko often painted deserted city environments, adopting an expressionistic style. Subway Scene (1938) is one such painting. It is the depiction of a subway station and features: a policeman and another figure next to a figure in a ticket booth and some turnstiles; two figures passing each other on some stairs descending to a lower level; a figure just entering into view via steps to the back left. There are also four large pillars and a large set of railings.

There seems to be no shadowing and modelling is poor which makes it difficult to locate one individual light source. It also gives the figures a two dimensional appearance and makes them seem vacant and sombre. The tonal range is wide but the use of cool colours (in particular