Artist: Mark Rothko (Marcus Rothkowitz)

Style: Abstract Expressionism

Topic: Abstracted Colour

Date: 1950

White Center is part of Rothko's signature multiform style: several blocks of layered, complementary colors on a large canvas. A luminosity results from the repeated layering of thin washes of paint, which allows some underpainting to show through the upper coats. In each work of this period, Rothko sought only subtle variations in proportion and color, yet achieved within this limited format a broad range of emotions and moods. The work was sold in May 2007 The painting sold for 72.84 million (USD), setting the record of the current most expensive post-war work of art sold at auction.