Sensuality, Tension, Irony, Preoccupation with Death, Hope and more: Rothko\’s formula to create art

September 25, On This Day

Mark Rothko: A colourful mind

The distinctive style of color field paintings, depicting irregular rectangular regions of color, is most quickly attributed to the iconic American abstract painter Mark Rothko. He was born on September 25, 1903.

Of Latvian Jewish descent, Rothko is associated with the American Abstract Expressionist movement of modern art, but reportedly did not personally subscribe to any one school.

Around the time of World War II, concerned about anti-semitism in America and Europe, it was in 1940 that the artist abbreviated his name from Markus Rothkowitz to Mark Rothko. During this wartime, the motif of tragedy was visible in his art, and he also dabbled in mythology and Surrealism.

It is later that he reverted to the unique abstract style that he made his own, and often used the aquarelle method of watercolour painting. It is said that: “For him, these blurred blocks of various colors, devoid of landscape or the human figure, let alone myth and symbol, possessed their own life force.”

A unique and unusual ‘formula’ for art had been shared by Rothko at a talk, what he called a “recipe of a work of art — its ingredients — how to make it — the formula”.

He said:

“– There must be a clear preoccupation with death—intimations of mortality … Tragic art, romantic art, etc., deals with the knowledge of death.

– Sensuality. Our basis of being concrete about the world. It is a lustful relationship to things that exist.

– Tension. Either conflict or curbed desire.

– Irony, This is a modern ingredient—the self-effacement and examination by which a man for an instant can go on to something else.

– Wit and play … for the human element.

– The ephemeral and chance … for the human element.

– Hope. 10% to make the tragic concept more endurable.

I measure these ingredients very carefully when I paint a picture. It is always the form that follows these elements and the picture results from the proportions of these elements.”

Rothko’s career was illustrious and he gained great prominence across the world. However, he tragically died by suicide on February 25, 1970.