" No. 12 " Mark Rothko 1951, Painting, Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy

Selecting Rothko’s "No. 12" was interesting because I wanted to include a work that communicates emotion without relying on recognizable figures, expressions, or narratives. The largely monochromatic fields invite viewers to slow down and sit with their own emotional responses rather than being told exactly what to feel. I want this work to provide a quieter moment in the exhibition, allowing viewers to reflect on their own inner worlds and recognize that emotional experiences can be deeply personal yet universally understood.