Mark Rothko
Early Life and Education
Mark Rothko, born Markus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz on September 25, 1903, in Dvinsk, Vitebsk Governorate, Russian Empire (now Daugavpils, Latvia), was an American painter of Latvian Jewish descent. His early life was marked by significant upheaval, including the emigration of his family to the United States in 1913 to escape the political and social unrest in Russia. The Rothkowitz family settled in Portland, Oregon, where Mark attended Lincoln High School. His academic prowess earned him a scholarship to Yale University in 1921, although he left after two years without completing his degree.
Artistic Development
Rothko's artistic journey began in earnest after moving to New York City in 1923. He enrolled in the Art Students League of New York, where he studied under Max Weber, a prominent figure in the American modernist movement. Weber's teachings on the emotional power of color and form had a lasting impact on Rothko's work. During this period, Rothko also became associated with a group of young artists known as "The Ten," who were dedicated to exploring new forms of expression in art.
Early Career and Influences
Rothko's early works were heavily influenced by Expressionism and Surrealism. His paintings from the 1930s and 1940s often depicted urban scenes and interiors, characterized by a somber palette and a focus on the human condition. This period also saw Rothko's involvement with the WPA Federal Art Project, which provided financial support to artists during the Great Depression. Through the WPA, Rothko was able to experiment with different styles and techniques, laying the groundwork for his later innovations.
Transition to Abstract Expressionism
The 1940s marked a significant shift in Rothko's style as he began to move away from figurative painting towards abstraction. Influenced by the works of Clyfford Still and Barnett Newman, Rothko started to develop his signature style of large, color field paintings. These works were characterized by their use of large, rectangular blocks of color, which Rothko believed could evoke profound emotional responses in viewers. This period also saw Rothko's involvement with the New York School, a group of artists who were instrumental in the development of Abstract Expressionism.
Mature Style and Major Works
By the 1950s, Rothko had fully developed his mature style, characterized by the use of large canvases covered with luminous, floating rectangles of color. His works from this period, such as "No. 61 (Rust and Blue)" and "No. 14 (White and Greens in Blue)," are considered masterpieces of Abstract Expressionism. Rothko's use of color and form was intended to create a sense of awe and transcendence, drawing viewers into a meditative state.
Philosophical and Theoretical Underpinnings
Rothko's approach to painting was deeply philosophical. He was influenced by the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche, particularly "The Birth of Tragedy," which explores the duality of the Apollonian and Dionysian aspects of art. Rothko believed that his paintings could convey the tragic and sublime aspects of the human experience. He also drew inspiration from mythology and religion, viewing his work as a form of spiritual expression.
The Seagram Murals
One of Rothko's most significant commissions came in 1958 when he was asked to create a series of murals for the Four Seasons restaurant in the Seagram Building in New York City. The resulting works, known as the Seagram Murals, are a series of dark, brooding paintings that reflect Rothko's ambivalence towards the project. Although he ultimately decided not to install the murals in the restaurant, they remain some of his most powerful and enigmatic works.
Later Years and Legacy
In the 1960s, Rothko's health began to decline, and his work took on a darker, more somber tone. His final series of paintings, known as the Rothko Chapel murals, were created for a non-denominational chapel in Houston, Texas. These works, characterized by their deep, monochromatic hues, are considered some of Rothko's most contemplative and spiritual pieces.
Rothko's legacy as a pioneer of Abstract Expressionism and a master of color field painting is firmly established. His works are held in major museums and collections around the world, and his influence can be seen in the works of subsequent generations of artists.