Green and Tangerine on Red 1956

Mark Rothko created this painting using oil on canvas. Rothko, born in Latvia and an immigrant to the United States, came of age during the rise of Abstract Expressionism. In this period, many artists, often from marginalized backgrounds, sought a universal language of emotion. Rothko aimed to express fundamental human experiences through color and form, moving beyond traditional representation. He once said his shapes were “performers” enacting a drama for the viewer. Consider how this work pushes against established norms, offering an alternative to traditional portraiture and narrative painting. The large scale, combined with its intense color palette, seeks to envelop viewers, prompting a deeply personal and perhaps even spiritual response. What feelings does it evoke in you? Rothko's work resonates as a powerful testament to the capacity of art to express complex emotional landscapes, inviting viewers to contemplate the depths of human experience.