Mark Rothko's Seagram Murals: Great Art Explained

Summary

Mark Rothko, an artist profoundly influenced by Mozart, sought to evoke deep human emotions through his abstract paintings. His journey from immigrant origins to becoming a leading figure in Abstract Expressionism was marked by personal struggles and a search for meaning. Rothko's Seagram commission reflected his complex relationship with wealth and art, ultimately leading him to withdraw his works from a restaurant he felt would not appreciate their depth. His tragic suicide in 1970 imbued his art with new significance, creating a silent, contemplative space in the Tate gallery, where his paintings resonate with viewers like music.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Mark Rothko was deeply influenced by music, particularly Mozart, whom he admired for his clarity and emotional depth.
• 🖌️ Rothko aimed to evoke basic human emotions like tragedy and ecstasy through his art, paralleling how music can elicit deep feelings.
• 🕊️ His suicide in 1970 added a profound significance to his works, prompting viewers to engage with them in a new way.
• 🌍 Rothko's upbringing as a Jewish immigrant shaped his worldview and artistic journey, highlighting themes of alienation and identity.
• 💰 Despite struggling financially early in his career, Rothko gained recognition and received a major commission from Seagram in 1958.
• 🏛️ Influenced by historical art and architecture, Rothko aspired to create immersive experiences with his paintings, akin to sacred spaces.
• 🖼️ His signature style involved soft rectangular forms and a focus on color, evolving from bright hues to darker, more complex palettes.
• 🍽️ Rothko's ambivalence about the Seagram commission reflected his leftist beliefs and desire to challenge the elite through his art.
• 🔍 The tactile nature of Rothko's paintings invites viewers to engage closely, requiring time and contemplation to fully appreciate their depth.
• 🕯️ After his death, Rothko's works were installed in a dedicated space at the Tate, transforming them into a contemplative environment resembling a temple.

Q & A

How did Mark Rothko view the relationship between his art and music?

Rothko was deeply influenced by music, particularly Mozart, whom he admired for his clarity and emotional depth. He sought to evoke the same profound emotional responses in his paintings as Mozart did in his music.

What was Rothko's perspective on the emotional reactions his paintings elicited?

Rothko was aware that viewers often cried in response to his work. He aimed to express basic human emotions like tragedy and ecstasy, intending to create an emotional dialogue with the viewer.

What significant event occurred shortly after Rothko donated his paintings to the Tate Gallery?

Just hours after donating nine canvases to the Tate Gallery, Rothko was found dead in his studio, having taken his own life.

What was Rothko's family background, and how did it influence his beliefs?

Rothko was born into a left-wing, intellectual, and atheist Jewish family. His upbringing amidst anti-Semitic persecution in Russia shaped his views and sense of identity throughout his life.

How did Rothko's artistic style evolve over his career?

Rothko went through various artistic styles before developing his signature motif of soft rectangular forms on stained color fields, characterized by deep colors and an emotional intensity.

What was the nature of Rothko's commission from Seagram Distilleries?

In 1958, Rothko received a major commission to create mural-sized canvases for the Four Seasons restaurant, which led to internal conflict due to the restaurant's opulent environment.

What philosophical influences shaped Rothko's approach to art?

Friedrich Nietzsche's idea that art should dramatize the struggles of existence significantly influenced Rothko, as he aimed to invoke primal emotions through his work.

How did Rothko's travels in Europe impact his work?

Rothko's trips to Europe exposed him to significant artworks and architectural spaces that inspired his painting techniques and thematic choices, particularly in the use of color and emotional resonance.

What were Rothko's feelings about his paintings being displayed in a restaurant?

Rothko expressed ambivalence and frustration about displaying his works in a restaurant, fearing they would be viewed as mere decoration for the wealthy elite, which contradicted his artistic intentions.

How is Rothko's legacy perceived after his death?

Following his suicide, Rothko's paintings gained a new significance, often interpreted as reflecting his internal struggles. The spaces designed for his works, such as at the Tate, have become places for contemplation and emotional engagement.