Mark Rothko
Artist of the fourteen paintings in the Rothko Chapel, Houston.
Mark Rothko was a Latvian-born American painter known for his abstract color field works, created from 1949 until his death in 1970. Born Markus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz in 1903 in Daugavpils, then part of the Russian Empire, he emigrated with his family to the United States in 1913, settling in Portland, Oregon. After moving to New York City in 1923, his early art focused on urban scenes. During the 1940s, in response to World War II, his work shifted to mythological themes and Surrealism, exploring tragedy. By the end of that decade, he had developed his signature style: canvases featuring irregular, painterly rectangular regions of pure color. Though not formally aligned with any school, he is associated with abstract expressionism. Later in his career, Rothko undertook three major mural projects. For the Seagram Building, he created paintings intended for the Four Seasons Restaurant, but he abandoned the commission, refunding the payment and donating the works to museums, including the Tate Gallery. His Harvard Mural series, installed in a dining room, suffered severe fading due to his use of the pigment lithol red and sunlight exposure, later restored with specialized lighting. The Rothko Chapel in Houston, a non-denominational space, houses fourteen of his canvases. Rothko lived modestly for most of his life, but the value of his work soared after his suicide in 1970; his painting *No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)* sold for $186 million in 2014.
- died
- February 25, 1970
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In 1964, Rothko was commissioned by John and Dominique de Menil to create a meditative space filled with his paintings for what would become the Rothko Chapel. The works are site-specific, one of the requirements of the program. Rothko began painting a series of black paintings, which incorporated other dark hues and texture effects. From the fall of 1964 through the spring of 1967, he painted the fourteen large paintings and four alternates for the chapel. Rothko was given creative license on the design of the structure, leading to clashes with the project's original architect, Philip Johnson. The plans went through several revisions and architects; Rothko worked first with Howard Barnstone and then with Eugene Aubry. Ultimately, Rothko did not live to see the chapel's completion in 1971. After a long struggle with depression, he died by suicide in his New York studio on February 25, 1970. The chapel's interior displays fourteen of Rothko's paintings on its walls in varying hues of black. Three walls display triptychs, while the other five walls display single paintings.
Reader's Guide
To experience Rothko's work in its intended context, visit the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. The chapel sits 2 mi (3.2 km) southwest of downtown in the Montrose neighborhood, between the Menil Collection and the Chapel of Saint Basil. The interior serves as the display framework for fourteen of Rothko's paintings in varying hues of black. The shape of the building—an octagon inscribed in a Greek cross—and the design of the chapel were largely influenced by the artist. About 110,000 people visit the chapel each year. The paintings were restored in 2000 after an 18-month, $1.8 million renovation. For its fiftieth anniversary in 2021, the chapel underwent $30 million in restoration, including a new louvered skylight designed by George Sexton Associates to ensure even distribution of light onto the paintings. In July 2024, three of Rothko's murals were damaged by stormwater during Hurricane Beryl, and the chapel closed for renovations, reopening in December 2024 after reparative work.
Did You Know?
- Rothko was commissioned in 1964 by John and Dominique de Menil to create paintings for what became the Rothko Chapel.
- Rothko painted fourteen large paintings and four alternates for the chapel between fall 1964 and spring 1967.
- Rothko clashed with the chapel's original architect, Philip Johnson, over the design plans.
- Rothko did not live to see the chapel's completion in 1971; he died by suicide on February 25, 1970.
- Three of Rothko's murals were damaged by stormwater during Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mark Rothko?
Mark Rothko was a Latvian-born American painter who worked in the abstract tradition. He is widely recognized for his emotionally charged color field compositions that dominated his output from 1949 until his death in 1970.
What style is Mark Rothko most associated with?
He is best known for paintings built from irregular, softly blended rectangular fields of color rather than recognizable imagery. These color field works became his defining signature from the late 1940s through 1970.
Where and when was Mark Rothko born?
He was born Markus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz on September 25, 1903, in Daugavpils, Latvia, which at the time was part of the Russian Empire. He later became an American citizen and built his career in the United States.
Which art movement does Mark Rothko belong to?
He is commonly grouped with the American abstract expressionism movement of the mid-twentieth century. However, Rothko himself never claimed allegiance to any particular school or artist group.
When did Mark Rothko die?
Mark Rothko passed away on February 25, 1970. His career in abstract painting spanned from his early figurative work through his mature color field period, which continued right up to the time of his death.
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