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.

Creator story

Surprising fact

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.

Key works

A key work by Mark Rothko

These works make it easiest to see how the artist changed form, content, and the very way art could exist in culture.

1961

Orange, Red, Yellow

Orange, Red, Yellow is one of Mark Rothko's defining works.