Mark Rothko: Paintings On Paper

An insightful examination of Mark Rothko’s paper-based works that deepens our comprehension of one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists.
 
Mark Rothko (1903–1970) is best known for his monumental abstract canvas paintings that convey emotions such as joy, despair, ecstasy, and tragedy. However, beyond his celebrated canvases, Rothko produced over 1,000 paintings on paper throughout his career. He regarded these works not as mere studies but as complete and independent paintings.
 
These exceptional paintings span from early figurative and surrealist pieces to the softly blurred rectangular color fields, frequently created on a monumental scale, that define Rothko’s signature style. They prompt a reevaluation of traditional notions of painting and challenge common perceptions of Rothko’s oeuvre and career. In this meticulously illustrated book, Adam Greenhalgh examines the significance of these works in shaping the artist’s critical reception, legacy, and acclaim.

This volume accompanies the first major exhibition in four decades focused on Rothko’s works on paper, presenting nearly one hundred luminous and seldom-seen pieces. Drawing from the significant research led by Greenhalgh and his team for the catalogue raisonné of Rothko’s paper works, this essential catalogue provides fresh insight into a lesser-known aspect of the artist’s oeuvre.