Mark Rothko

(Letonia, 1903 – New York, 1970)

Russian-born American painter, widely considered as one of the most prominent figures in Abstract expressionism.

Trained at the University of Yale and Arts Student League in New York, Rothko was initially influenced by Surrealism and Expressionism. His most famous paintings are ones where he has painted parallel-placed large rectangular shapes, generally in a vertical format. There hazy edges seem to make the rectangular expanses float on canvas. He regarded 14 paintings that he was commissioned to do for a chapel in Houston (1967-1969) as his masterpieces.

Selected Exhibitions: Museums and Galleries

1961   Solo exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, New York 1945   Peggy Guggenheim gave Rothko a solo show at Art of This Century in New York 1933   First solo show took place at the Portland Art Museum 1933   First solo exhibition in New York at the Conemporary Arts Gallery 1928   First group exhibition at the Opportunity Galleries, New York ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM AT PICASSOMIO MODERN MASTERS AT PICASSOMIO

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