Mark Rothko
Artist of the fourteen paintings in the Rothko Chapel, Houston.
Mark Rothko was the artist behind the fourteen paintings displayed in the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. Commissioned in 1964 by John and Dominique de Menil, Rothko created a series of site-specific works for the chapel, which serves as both a non-denominational place of worship and a framework for his art. The paintings, which incorporate dark hues and texture effects, are a major work of modern art. Rothko was given creative license on the design of the chapel itself, clashing with the original architect Philip Johnson over the plans. He continued working with architects Howard Barnstone and Eugene Aubry, but did not live to see the chapel's completion in 1971. After a long struggle with depression, Rothko died by suicide in his New York studio on February 25, 1970.
- died
- February 25, 1970
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In 1964, Rothko was commissioned by John and Dominique de Menil to create a meditative space filled with his paintings for what would become the Rothko Chapel. The works are site-specific, one of the requirements of the program. Rothko began painting a series of black paintings, which incorporated other dark hues and texture effects. From the fall of 1964 through the spring of 1967, he painted the fourteen large paintings and four alternates for the chapel. Rothko was given creative license on the design of the structure, leading to clashes with the project's original architect, Philip Johnson. The plans went through several revisions and architects; Rothko worked first with Howard Barnstone and then with Eugene Aubry. Ultimately, Rothko did not live to see the chapel's completion in 1971. After a long struggle with depression, he died by suicide in his New York studio on February 25, 1970. The chapel's interior displays fourteen of Rothko's paintings on its walls in varying hues of black. Three walls display triptychs, while the other five walls display single paintings.
Reader's Guide
To experience Rothko's work in its intended context, visit the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. The chapel sits 2 mi (3.2 km) southwest of downtown in the Montrose neighborhood, between the Menil Collection and the Chapel of Saint Basil. The interior serves as the display framework for fourteen of Rothko's paintings in varying hues of black. The shape of the building—an octagon inscribed in a Greek cross—and the design of the chapel were largely influenced by the artist. About 110,000 people visit the chapel each year. The paintings were restored in 2000 after an 18-month, $1.8 million renovation. For its fiftieth anniversary in 2021, the chapel underwent $30 million in restoration, including a new louvered skylight designed by George Sexton Associates to ensure even distribution of light onto the paintings. In July 2024, three of Rothko's murals were damaged by stormwater during Hurricane Beryl, and the chapel closed for renovations, reopening in December 2024 after reparative work.
Did You Know?
- Rothko was commissioned in 1964 by John and Dominique de Menil to create paintings for what became the Rothko Chapel.
- Rothko painted fourteen large paintings and four alternates for the chapel between fall 1964 and spring 1967.
- Rothko clashed with the chapel's original architect, Philip Johnson, over the design plans.
- Rothko did not live to see the chapel's completion in 1971; he died by suicide on February 25, 1970.
- Three of Rothko's murals were damaged by stormwater during Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mark Rothko?
Mark Rothko was a Latvian-born American painter who worked in the abstract tradition. He is widely recognized for his emotionally charged color field compositions that dominated his output from 1949 until his death in 1970.
What style is Mark Rothko most associated with?
He is best known for paintings built from irregular, softly blended rectangular fields of color rather than recognizable imagery. These color field works became his defining signature from the late 1940s through 1970.
Where and when was Mark Rothko born?
He was born Markus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz on September 25, 1903, in Daugavpils, Latvia, which at the time was part of the Russian Empire. He later became an American citizen and built his career in the United States.
Which art movement does Mark Rothko belong to?
He is commonly grouped with the American abstract expressionism movement of the mid-twentieth century. However, Rothko himself never claimed allegiance to any particular school or artist group.
When did Mark Rothko die?
Mark Rothko passed away on February 25, 1970. His career in abstract painting spanned from his early figurative work through his mature color field period, which continued right up to the time of his death.
More in Visual Artists 1-24
Elsewhere in the Visual Artists universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record