Rothko: The Late Series

by Achim Borchardt-Hume (Editor)

Mark Rothko (1903-70) is widely seen as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century and was a leading figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. In the late 1960s, he donated nine large-scale paintings to Tate on the condition that henceforward these would be shown as a unified immersive environment never to be mixed with work by other artists. The Rothko Room in its various incarnations has been one of the highlights of Tate's collection for the past thirty-five years.As is well known, the paintings in The Rothko Room formed part of a larger series known as The Seagram Murals. These were originally intended for the Four Seasons restaurant in the Seagram Building in Manhattan, a commission from which Rothko famously withdrew, irritated, according to legend, that his paintings would be lowered to the status of wallpaper for rich diners. So far the question has never been if the restaurant had space for 10 paintings, why did Rothko paint 30 in the series?For the first time, the paintings from The Rothko Room are examined together with others from the series, from Kawamura Memorial Art museum, the National Gallery of Art, Washington, the Rothko Estate and other private collections. New research by an international team of experts will reveal previously unknown detail about their manufacture. They will be additionally re-contextualised by being placed alongside large-scale gouaches from the Rothko family collection and the Black on Grey paintings from the late 1960s, which continue to challenge the standard presentation of Rothko as a painter focused primarily on the effect of colour. Liberated from the straight-jacket of their legendary status, the Seagram paintings can finally be seen as works in their own right, central to a reconsideration of Rothko's late career, which in the Black on Grey paintings, his final series and the first to be created without a commission, was moving towards a tougher, more contemporary sensibility.

Genres: Art

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complete art book porn. Huge high quality prints of his later works. Really beautiful. And probably really expensive, although I got this out of the local library. The collection of essays which can sometimes be hit or miss, were really good as well. Especially the one on his materials and paint layering techniques uncovered during recent analysis of the canvases. The little models he made for the Tate Gallery to show where the Seagram pictures should be hung were great to see as well. I remember going into that room as a child. It had hardly any artificial lighting, just a skylight if I recall and would emit a purple dark glow. Formative experiences.

[Erica Basnicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I need books like this to “get” art. Though I’m finally reading it almost 12 years after the Tate exhibition, I can recall how these paintings captivated me, and now I know why. Art both baffles and delights me, but this book adds only to the delight.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into the creation of this collection. I hope to see The Rothko Room next time I visit London!

[S S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a meditative, technical and comprehensive analysis of the works that make Mark Rothko who he is. The big prints of his works were just phenomenal.

[Miggy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I luv the way that art-works by artists such as Rothko have the power to polarise opinion. I know people who are beyond baffled by my devotion to Rothko's large, opaque, pulsating (inner? outer? dual-free?) universes. Seeing so many of the Seagram murals gathered together at the Tate exhibition which birthed this book was practically a religious experience for me. This book is a great companion piece & able guide to the man & the works. For people who have stared long & hard at his art without reward, it is often beneficial to read up on the artist for clues to the mysteries of the paintings. The danger is that too much information can dictate & prescribe the viewer's responses to the direct experience of the art . . . it's a balance folks. There's no substitute for an authentic response to the work itself, but a bit of written guidance can't hurt in aiding appreciation. The book contains the great Rothko quote:

"If people want sacred experiences

they'll find them here.

If they want profane experiences

they'll find them too.

I take no sides."

Rothko, that wounded soul (artist), outstretching his reach, a conduit for the mysterious, mediating a vision of awe for we the undeserving. Genius.

[Noal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this show at the Tate during X-mas. I had never seen any of his late work. Some of those suckers were large!!!!! Now I will read all of the minute details.

[Muriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

somebody else wrote in a review that this is “complete art book porn,” and i couldn’t agree more. this is the nerdiest nichest shit ever (amazing).