Mark Rothko: The Color of Abstract Expressionism

From Figuration to Abstraction: The Evolution of a Visionary

Born Marcus Rothkowitz in 1903 in Dvinsk (today Daugavpils, Latvia), Rothko immigrated to the United States in 1913. His artistic journey is marked by an unceasing quest for pure emotional expression:

1. 1920s–1930s: Figurative Period

   • Influence of German Expressionism
   • Exploration of urban and mythological themes

2. 1940s: Transition toward Abstraction

   • Influence of Surrealism
   • Development of a unique visual language

3. Late 1940s: Birth of the "Multiformes"

   • Floating organic forms
   • Precursors of his mature style

4. 1950s–1970s: Stylistic Maturity

   • Characteristic rectangular compositions
   • In-depth exploration of color and light

Rothko's evolution toward lyrical abstraction was not merely a stylistic progression, but a spiritual quest to express what he called 'the basic human emotions.' Each stage of his artistic development reflects his relentless search for a visual language capable of transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.

David Anfam, art historian specializing in Rothko^[1]

The Revolution of the "Multiformes": Birth of a Unique Pictorial Language

The "Multiformes" series (1946–1949) marks a crucial turning point in Rothko's work. These paintings, with their floating colored forms, foreshadow his mature style and revolutionize the approach to color in abstract art.

Let us take "No. 61 (Rust and Blue)" (1953) as an emblematic example of Rothko's mature technique:

• Composition: Two rectangles, one rust, one blue, on a warm brown ground
• Technique:
  • Thin layers of diluted paint applied in successive glazes
  • Use of pure pigments mixed directly on the canvas
  • Creation of an internal luminosity through the layering of transparent colors
• Effect: Sensation of depth and movement, inviting meditative contemplation

These paintings seem at once to envelop the viewer and open onto a realm beyond materiality, creating an almost religious experience. Rothko uses color not as a mere decorative tool, but as a medium capable of conveying emotion directly, without the intermediary of recognizable forms.

Robert Rosenblum, art critic^[2]

During my recent visit to the Rothko retrospective at the MoMA, I was struck by the emotional intensity of "No. 61." The colors seemed to pulse and breathe, creating an almost physical sensation of warmth and depth. It was as though the painting communicated directly with my emotions, bypassing the filter of the intellect.

The Rothko Chapel: the Apotheosis of a Spiritual Quest

The Rothko Chapel in Houston, inaugurated in 1971, represents the culmination of Rothko's artistic vision:

• 14 dark canvases in an octagonal space
• Subtle interplay of natural and artificial light
• Immersive and meditative experience

The Rothko Chapel is the fruit of an encounter between spiritual inspiration and the investigations of a great modern artist. It is a place where art transcends religious boundaries to reach the universal.

Dominique de Menil, project patron^[3]

My visit to the Rothko Chapel was a transformative experience. The atmosphere of deep recollection created by the dark canvases, which seem to simultaneously absorb and reflect light, is indescribable. Time seems to stop, giving way to pure contemplation. Compared to my experience of the Matisse or Miró chapels, Rothko's stands apart through its powerful minimalism and direct emotional impact.

Rothko's Legacy: A Lasting Influence on Contemporary Art

Rothko's impact on modern and contemporary art is considerable:

• Influence on artists such as Gerhard Richter and Anish Kapoor
• Major contribution to the establishment of New York as the center of modern art
• Record auction prices ($86.9 million for "Orange, Red, Yellow" in 2012)

Rothko sought to create an experience of transcendence, almost religious in nature, through his paintings. His approach opened new avenues for the expression of pure emotion in art, profoundly influencing the way we perceive and interpret abstract art today.

Arthur Danto, philosopher of art^[4]

Where to Live the Rothko Experience: A Unique Museum Immersion

To truly understand the power of Rothko's art, nothing compares to a direct encounter with his works:

• MoMA, New York: "No. 16 (Red, Brown, and Black)" (1958)
• Tate Modern, London: The "Seagram Murals" series
• Centre Pompidou, Paris: "Untitled (Red, Orange)" (1968)

During my visit to the Tate Modern, I was overwhelmed by the physical impact of the "Seagram Murals." These immense red and brown canvases create an almost palpable atmosphere, transforming the room into a space of intense contemplation. Compared to the works of other Abstract Expressionists such as Jackson Pollock, Rothko's paintings offer a more meditative and introspective experience.

Rothko, the Painter of Universal Emotions

Mark Rothko revolutionized abstract art by creating works that speak directly to the viewer's soul. His abstract canvases, with their vibrant colors and floating forms, continue to move and inspire, proving that abstraction can be a powerful vehicle for universal emotion.

I am not an abstractionist... I am not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I am interested only in expressing basic human emotions — tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on.

Mark Rothko^[5]

This quest for pure emotional expression remains his most enduring legacy in the history of art.

The next time you find yourself before a Rothko, take the time to truly look. Let yourself be enveloped by the colors and feel the emotions they evoke. More than a simple act of viewing, it is an invitation to an inner journey, an opportunity to connect with the depths of human experience through the universal language of color and form.