Mark Rothko

Date of Birth: September 25, 1903

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: February 25, 1970

Biography

Mark Rothko, born Marcus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz, was an American painter of Russian Jewish descent, renowned for his contributions to the abstract expressionist movement. He was born on September 25, 1903, in Dvinsk, Russian Empire (now Daugavpils, Latvia). Rothko immigrated to the United States with his family in 1913, settling in Portland, Oregon. Rothko’s artistic journey began at Yale University, although he left without completing his degree. Initially, his works were influenced by mythology and surrealism, but he later became a pioneer of color field painting, a style characterized by large swathes of color that evoke deep emotional responses. His signature works often feature rectangular forms with blurred edges and luminous color palettes, intended to transcend the viewer into a meditative state. Rothko’s career was marked by significant achievements, including numerous exhibitions and critical acclaim. However, his life was also plagued by personal struggles and deteriorating health. He committed suicide on February 25, 1970, in his New York studio.

5 Interesting Facts about Mark Rothko

1. Mark Rothko was one of the founding members of the abstract expressionist movement, alongside artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.

2. Although Rothko is primarily known for his color field paintings, he initially experimented with mythological themes and surrealism.

3. Rothko was extremely secretive about his techniques and often refused to explain his work, believing that the paintings should speak for themselves.

4. His Seagram Murals, initially commissioned for the Four Seasons Restaurant, were ultimately donated to the Tate Modern in London because Rothko felt the restaurant was an inappropriate setting for his work.

5. Rothko’s painting “Orange, Red, Yellow” sold for $86.9 million in 2012, setting a record for a post-war painting at that time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mark Rothko

1. “A painting is not about an experience. It is an experience.”

2. “Silence is so accurate.”

3. “I’m interested only in expressing basic human emotions — tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on.”

4. “The fact that people break down and cry when confronted with my pictures shows that I can communicate those basic human emotions.”

5. “I’m not an abstractionist… I’m not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Mark Rothko’s net worth was estimated to be in the range of $1.5 million. However, the value of his works has dramatically increased posthumously, with individual paintings selling for tens of millions of dollars.

Children

Mark Rothko had two children with his second wife, Mary Alice “Mell” Beistle: 1. Kate Rothko Prizel – Born in 1938, she later became a prominent advocate for her father’s legacy. 2. Christopher Rothko – Born in 1963, he is a clinical psychologist and also actively involved in preserving and promoting his father’s work.