Abstract Expressionism

Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko (1903–1970) was a leading Abstract Expressionist, famous for vast canvases of glowing, floating rectangles of colour. He intended these silent fields to evoke profound human emotion — even tears.

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1903–1970 · American Abstract Expressionist painter

Rothko made pure colour a vehicle for the sublime, deeply influencing Color Field painting and modern spirituality in art.

From the artist's life

Rothko said that people who wept before his paintings were having the same religious experience he had while painting them.

Source: Wikipedia / Wikimedia

A leader of Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting.
Painted vast, glowing rectangles of floating colour.
Wanted his work to evoke deep, almost religious emotion.

Portrait: Mark Rothko — Consuelo Kanaga / Brooklyn Museum · no restrictions · Wikimedia Commons

Key works

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Complete list of key works

Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.

List checked against Wikidata

Orange, Red, YellowOn ArtAtlas
Rothko ChapelListed for reference
Orange and YellowListed for reference
No. 10Listed for reference
No. 1Listed for reference
No. 2Listed for reference
No. 3Listed for reference
No. 4Listed for reference
No. 5Listed for reference
No. 6 (?)Listed for reference

1961

Orange, Red, Yellow

In 2012 it sold for $86.9 million — then a record for post-war art.