Mark Rothko: From the Inside Out

Well written; insightful.

Another book about the painter Mark Rothko ? Why you may ask......this one is different, it's written by his son Christopher Rothko. He was only six when his father died, so what can he know about the paintings ? This book "from the inside out" is the story, his life long discovering of who Mark Rothko was. It's written in a language that is straight forward and easier to understand that the intellectual critic that's all brain and no heart. The book has plenty of substance and intelligence but it comes from the heart of a six year old looking with young eyes at his fathers giant paintings. It has story telling depth that other Rothko books do not have. The chapters on Humor, Music and Stacked are worth it just by themselves.

A great book on the life work of a master painter.Christopher Rothko writes in a personal voice about his famous father's techniques and vision as they evolved over a fruitful working life. Color, form, and meaning are central topics explored with deep insight and passion. Most often blood lines thin: this is not the case here with this talented author.The book is neither a biography of Mark Rothko nor is it simply restricted to his art. For example,the sorry handling by today's museums of works of art on paper is discussed.Anyone interested in modern art, and especially that of Mark Rothko, should buy and read this book.

Interesting take on a father he cannot remember by a psychologist son - a good read but hardly the most important work about the artist

If you are looking at these reviews for Rothko's book then you must already have an interest in Rothko, art in general, or both. This book would be pure torture for anyone who doesn't share such interests.I am not an artist, nor am I part of any art community. I'm just an average person but have a deep appreciation for art and go to museums and galleries every chance I get.I acquired "Mark Rothko - From the Inside Out" from the visitor center at the Rothko Chapel in Houston, TX. I had just spent well over an hour in the chapel wishing I could stay longer while I witnessed some people come in, walk around and leave within 5 minutes. Those are the people who would not enjoy this book.The author, Chris Rothko, reveals how his dad's work uses color, space and form to communicate something universal. The latter works of Mark Rothko take abstraction to the nth degree where humanity and the world around us is portrayed in simple rectangular forms. One Mark Rothko quote from the book on pg 124 - "It takes a lot of effort to make nothing" is funny only because it APPEARS to be nothing to those who only glance at the art for 5 minutes! What I enjoyed most about this book are the references to other artists and their techniques, some of which were Mark Rothko's inspiration such as Rembrandt and some who were abstract contemporaries such as Adolf Gotleib. The book has numerous color photos which help to tell this most intriquing artist bio (a few photo excerpts attached).

I picked up this book from Netgalley because once, in Rome, I went to see one of Rothko's exhibition and even if I couldn't explain why, I found it totally fascinating. Now that I can understand his vision a little bit better the magic didn't disappear but this book is not easy and it's better if there are is previous knowledge of the artistic world in general.Ho scelto questo libro da Netgalley perché tanti anni fa, a Roma, ho visto un'esposizione di Rothko, che non conoscevo per niente, ma che mi é piaciuta molto. Dopo la lettura di questo libro qualcosa é cambiato, ma non la magia che hanno i suoi quadri per me, comunque questo volume non é proprio semplicissimo e magari avere precedenti conoscenze di storia dell'arte puó aiutare.

GReat!

Great!

é um livro muito baseado na psique artística, muito pouco a ver com sua maestria artística mas sim com o seu estado reflexivo e psicológico uma obra muito difícil de digerir!

Astonishing! One of the finest monographs about an artist I have ever read. I usually forward books I like to another artist who I think would respond as I have, but not this time. This study by the artist's son is a classic; it will go on a shelf of treasured works to be referred to again, and again. This brilliant analysis of the development and meaning of the great abstract expressionist's work, is NOT a biography, even though it is written by the artist's son and is NOT a psychological interpretation of the artist or his work, even though the author is a clinical psychologist. Instead it is a series of essays by Christopher Rothko documenting extensive research and reflection on the complete output of his father's work including his philosophical writings on art. Rothko presents a convincing and profound understanding of Mark Rothko's work, laying to rest many of the myths and misinterpretations of Rothko's work in the process. This is one of only handful of non-fiction books that has moved me as deeply as fiction.

Great read arrived on in two days from Amazon

Good Book