The Essential Mark Rothko

by Klaus Ottmann

Mark Rothko (1903-1970) is generally considered, along with Jackson Pollock, the preeminent artist of the group of painters who, during the 1940s and '50s, re-invented American art and became known as the Abstract Expressionists. Yet despite his success--people cried when they stood in front of his sublimely spiritual canvases--he suffered from intense anxiety and depression, and eventually took his own life.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mark Rothko for dummies, basically.

The book includes reproductions of much of his artwork, along with some very basic art theory on Abstract Expressionism and interesting biographical information about Rothko.

(Did you know that, during the 1930s public works schemes, the US Government paid artists to produce paintings to hang in public buildings -- and Rothko was one of those artists? One always hears about the building works, but I'd never heard about that. If only such a scheme existed during this recession. Sigh, sigh.)

The book is nicely formatted, with bright yellow splashes, bullet points and inserts. I'm not sure I always want to be treated like I'm slightly slow, but sometimes it is a nice change from dry, academic blocks of text.

Definitely not a definitive guide, but this has piqued my interest enough to look for a more comprehensive guide to AbEx next time I'm in the library.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An analysis of an artist and his work.

Many of the images in this book were stunning, but the writing style / layout was poor.

Reading / viewing time around one hour.

[Tom C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent primer on the life and art of Mark Rothko. Not as detailed in the methods of other writers of Rothko and his work, but definitely one that summarizes many of the key things about his work and life. I like how, in some of the paintings, they discuss the background to the particular piece to stimulate thought and allow for context to exist to tie the new admirer of Rothko into the painting in a mean which can be a sort of narrative hook to tie in thinking that the artist may have had when painting it. Something definitely purposeful in introducing newer generations to his work. Well done.

[Emily]

Mark that one off my summer reading Bingo card 😆❌

[Aaron Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple overview of Rothko's life and work. More of a rough sketch than anything else. I read this first before the more detailed one so I can better understand an retain what happened in Rothko's life. He is an artist i feel a certain kinship with, in life and art.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite artists .... a short read about a wonderful artist ...

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is from a series that quite nicely gives one an overview of an artist. I had just seen the wonderful play "Red" and was fact checking. The play covered all the facts in a truthful manner.