Look! : Rothko for Inspiration

We had picked up this postcard for a little inspiration while in NYC. We tend to be pulled to the moodier images of our hero, but this painting (which is nothing like you see here- the white stripes are more butter, and the green and red are clearly more vivid) elicits a joyous, visceral response, which shocks our (usually) melancholy soul every time.

We keep glancing over to the postcard as we type and we smile. How can color blocked out so gruffly on a canvas do that? God, he’s good.

Comments (5)

I always say when they can put a Rothko on my back, then and only then will I get a tattoo.

the master of color.

posted by rs on 2006-04-12 12:52:08

that work is amazing. and i love what you guys say about it.

posted by a on 2006-04-12 15:18:09

Go see them in person, they will ruin you for postcards forever. There exists, though it's hard to find a Yale Press publiation of EVERY piece of art he made. It's about 5" thick and commands a bookshelf for itself.

Take a look at James Elkins' book "Pictures and Tears" for a tremendous essay on the affect Rothko's work has with regard to raw viceral emotion and how we as viewers control, or lose control of ourselves when in their presence...

posted by julian on 2006-04-12 19:35:08

Rothko is a F**KING GENIUS

posted by luigi on 2006-04-13 05:39:52

I have a book of the chapel paintings, and I just pull it out and look at it - staring for hours.

I love Rothko. I used to go to the Detroit Institute of Arts on my lunch breaks just to stare at the Rothko they had there, then the Judd around the corner - two completely different feelings, both great.

posted by rachel (in denver) on 2006-04-13 09:53:19