"An analysis of Mark Rothko's 1938 painting Subway Scene"

Prior to 1940 Rothko often painted deserted city environments, adopting an expressionistic style. tubing Scene (1938) is one such painting. It is the depiction of a thermionic valve station and features: a policeman and another figure attached to a figure in a slate kiosk and some turnstiles; cardinal figures passing each other on some stairs descending to a lower aim; a figure just entering into view via steps to the back go forth. There argon also four astronomic pillars and a large set of railings.

There seems to be no shadow and modelling is poor which makes it difficult to locate one individualist light source. It also gives the figures a two dimensional mien and makes them seem vacant and sombre. The tonal range is wide exactly the use of cool colours (in particular greys and blues) has the effect of distancing the ravisher from the scene. Further more(prenominal), emphasis is placed on colour rather than item because the brushwork is crude. These factors lend the scene a cold and somewhat eerie feeling.

Rothkos repeated use of vertical lines (specifically the railings and pillars) segregates the figures from one another and more significantly, from the spectator.



The overlapping of these objects gives the scene perspective, but along with the idea of separationism and a high picture plane, this only serves to further exceed the spectator.

The two left most pillars are arranged in such a way that they run parallel with the two right most pillars and with the wall at the back left of the scene. Furthermore the figures on the descending staircase and the figures around the ticket cubicle are along the same parallel plane,

and are framed within the pillars. The effect is that the eye is drawn towards the booth along this line. Perhaps then it is no coincidence...

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