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Writings on Art

mark rothko miguel lópez-remiro

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While the collected writings of many major 20th-century artists, including Barnett Newman, Robert Motherwell, and Ad Reinhardt, have been published, Mark Rothko’s writings have only recently come to light, beginning with the critically acclaimed The Artist’s Reality: Philosophies of Art. Rothko’s other written works have yet to be brought together into a major publication. Writings on Art fills this significant void; it includes some 90 documents—including short essays, letters, statements, and lectures—written by Rothko over the course of his career. The texts are fully annotated, and a chronology of the artist’s life and work is also included.

This provocative compilation of both published and unpublished writings from 1934--69 reveals a number of things about Rothko: the importance of writing for an artist who many believed had renounced the written word; the meaning of transmission and transition that he experienced as an art teacher at the Brooklyn Jewish Center Academy; his deep concern for meditation and spirituality; and his private relationships with contemporary artists (including Newman, Motherwell, and Clyfford Still) as well as journalists and curators.

As was revealed in Rothko’s The Artist’s Reality, what emerges from this collection is a more detailed picture of a sophisticated, deeply knowledgeable, and philosophical artist who was also a passionate and articulate writer.

172 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1,2002

This edition

Format
172 pages, Hardcover
Published
April 28, 2006 by Yale University Press
ISBN
9780300114409
ASIN
0300114400
Language
English

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About the author

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mark rothko

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 17 votes)
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17 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
CobraLibidinosa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Μεγάλος καλλιτέχνης!


This is a simple yet powerful exclamation. It means "Great artist!" in Greek. The exclamation mark emphasizes the admiration and respect for the artist.


The link provided, https://pepperlines.blogspot.gr/2018/..., might lead to more information about the great artist or their works. It could be a blog post, an article, or a gallery展示.


Perhaps the author of this text wants to share their discovery of a remarkable artist with others. By using this exclamation and providing the link, they are inviting readers to explore and learn more about the artist's talent and creativity.


Whether you are an art lover or simply curious, clicking on the link might lead you to a world of inspiration and beauty.

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athenacat
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I became emotionally attached to this compilation.

It was not just a random collection of things, but rather a meaningful assemblage that held a special place in my heart.

Each item within it seemed to tell a story, evoke a memory, or stir up a particular emotion.

As I browsed through the compilation, I found myself getting lost in the details, reminiscing about the times and experiences associated with each element.

It was as if this compilation was a time capsule, preserving moments that might otherwise have been forgotten.

The emotional connection I felt was deep and profound, and it made me realize the power that such compilations can have in our lives.

They can serve as a source of comfort, inspiration, and even nostalgia, allowing us to relive and cherish the past.

I am grateful to have come across this compilation and to have formed such a strong emotional bond with it.

It will continue to be a precious part of my life, a reminder of the things that matter and the memories that shape who we are.

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Graymer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Rothko was extremely disinclined to write about his work, which led to the inclusion of some necessary filler or ephemera in this collection. I chose to gloss over numerous letters regarding mundane topics such as the weather, construction, and buying cars, even if they were addressed to Barnett Newman. However, the valuable content within these pages is truly remarkable and worth its weight in gold.


His early notes on teaching art to children, a task he undertook from 1929 to 1952, offer profound insights into his influences and creative process. Another notable highlight is his speech at Yale upon receiving an honorary degree, where he outlined his seven points on what art should be. Despite the common perception of Rothko as being hostile, this lecture is a significant act of generosity.


An essay by a writer from Harpers, who became friends with Rothko on a boat precisely because he had no connection to the art world, provides a wonderful portrait of the artist. Unlike critics, the author comes to understand Rothko's work as an extension of the man himself. For someone so averse to self-description, Rothko was surprisingly quotable. A line like "I've been painting Greek temples all my life and never knew it" is both provocative and haunting.

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TaiGuoRen
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is truly very inspirational stuff.

It holds great value and significance for every pre-school teacher.

Pre-school teachers play a crucial role in shaping the young minds and futures of our children.

By reading this, they can gain valuable insights, new perspectives, and fresh ideas that can enhance their teaching methods and approaches.

It can inspire them to be more creative, patient, and understanding in the classroom.

Moreover, it can also help them to build stronger relationships with their students and create a positive and nurturing learning environment.

Every pre-school teacher should take the time to read this and let it inspire them to be the best educators they can be.

After all, the impact they have on their students at this early stage of life is immeasurable.

So, go ahead and read this inspiring piece, and let it transform your teaching journey for the better.

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WickedCereal
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A new academy is repeating an old game: trying to create something by inventing its name.


Some artists want to say everything. But I believe that it is deeper to say little. My paintings are sometimes called "faces", and in fact they are.

_______________________________


Rothko lists some "ingredients" that he believes are necessary for painting.

A clear awareness of death. All art is in relation to death.


Sensuality, indispensable for representing the world in a concrete way.


Tension, that is, conflicts or desires that in art are dominated at the very moment they manifest.


Irony, a modern ingredient (the Greeks didn't need it). A form of self-cancellation, and at the same time of self-analysis, with which man can, at least for an instant, escape his own destiny.


Shrewdness, humor.


Some grams of the ephemeral and some grams of the casual.


A ten percent of hope... Only if you need it; the Greeks didn't have it.


I paint large-scale paintings because I want to create a situation of intimacy. A large-scale painting provokes an immediate transaction that includes the observer within it.


Fragments taken from the notes taken by Dore Ashton at the conference held by Rothko at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn on October 27, 1958. Published in an article by Dore Ashton in "Cimaise", December 1958.
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AnimeLeFayuda
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have a strong preference for being prodigal rather than stingy. In fact, I would go so far as to attribute anthropomorphic qualities to a stone rather than dehumanize the tiniest possibility of consciousness.

This stance reflects my belief that it is better to err on the side of generosity and openness than to be overly cautious and closed-minded.

By anthropomorphizing a stone, I am imagining it as having some sort of personality or character, which in turn allows me to see the world in a more vivid and interesting way.

On the other hand, dehumanizing the smallest hint of consciousness seems to me to be a very cold and unfeeling approach.

After all, even the tiniest spark of awareness has the potential to grow and develop into something much greater.

Therefore, I choose to embrace the prodigal spirit and look for the humanity in everything around me.
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betatestedurm0m
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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You will be despised for painting a series of easy and quick-to-execute color planes without any kind of effort, which anyone could do, but no one would know how to argue it, ignoring that you not only painted colors, nor that you were neither abstract nor expressionist, nor that you trusted your paintings as precious jewels.

Every time for months when I went to the bookstore, I saw this book unit, waiting for me. It seems that it is little in demand.

I have read a lot about you, but it is here that I have found answers.

Your art may not be immediately understood or appreciated by everyone. The simplicity of your color planes may lead some to think that it requires no skill or effort. However, they fail to see the depth and thought that goes into each of your works. You are not simply painting colors; you are expressing something deeper within yourself.

The fact that this book about you is not in high demand may be a sign that your art is ahead of its time. It may take time for people to fully understand and appreciate your unique vision. But for those who are willing to look beyond the surface, they will find a world of beauty and inspiration in your paintings.

I am grateful to have found this book and to have discovered your art. It has opened my eyes to a new way of seeing and understanding the world. I look forward to seeing more of your works and learning more about your creative process.
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Bluesnow
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This statement, "Altamente inspiraciónal para cualquier artista," which means "Highly inspiring for any artist" in English, holds a great deal of truth.

Artists of all kinds, whether painters, writers, musicians, or sculptors, are constantly seeking inspiration to fuel their creative processes.

Finding something that is highly inspiring can have a profound impact on their work. It can spark new ideas, push them to explore different techniques, and ultimately lead to the creation of something truly remarkable.

Inspiration can come from many sources, such as nature, other works of art, personal experiences, or even the words and ideas of others.

When an artist encounters something that is highly inspiring, it can set their imagination on fire and give them the motivation they need to bring their vision to life.

So, for any artist, seeking out and being open to highly inspiring experiences and ideas is essential for growth and the creation of great art.
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