Rothko's dark era paintings

[@ElleCoyote]

I have visited the Rothko Chapel several times and watched as the light from the skylight changed, sometimes subtly and sometimes dramatically. The paintings changed with the light (of course), and displayed depths that are not visible at first glance. The chapel and paintings gave me a feeling of serenity, of the depths of a peaceful night. I saw no depression or suicide in them.

[@ohprudence]

I agree. I see such depth in the layers of color. I find it deeply inspiring. I love his work and find that it needs a lot of space around it and you need to sir with it for awhile.

[@TheBillaro]

thank you

[@carlenec5085]

A profound and sacred moment in time... I sat there for hours, just allowed feelings and emotions to flow through me. ❤ thanks for your beautiful energy

[@Lopegf0214]

I visited the Rothko Chapel, and it was a nerve-wracking experience. I felt fear, as if the walls were caving in on me. The place was completely silent, yet the huge black paintings were overpowering. I could only stay there for 10-15 minutes.

[@reefk8876]

Reminds me of Cobain. Frustrated, guilt ridden, annoyed at the responses and having to explain the meaning of expression. Both power through emotion in simplicity. Best art: simple. Great video!

[@arthistorystorytime]

So true, I can see the connection there.

[@21stCenturySpaceOdyssey]

Yeah I hear ya. There's something to be said of Bob Ross's "happy little clouds".

[@threenineline1]

I appreciate Mark Rothko's artwork, and his idea not to put the feeling of his work into someone elses mind with a label is especially intriguing. Awesome video as always!

[@willieluncheonette5843]

I love abstract expressionism and Rothko and Pollock are my two favorites. I've seen all the Rothkos at MOMA and the Metropolitan. I love all of them. An renown appraiser friend of mine told me he used to sit in front of Rothko's big canvasses and just stare at them. After a few minutes he said the colors started to move in and out. I was lucky enough to see him seated alone at table in MOMA's garden one day. I went over and told him I loved his paintings but was too shy to say anything else. He thanked me and I left. Have since read much about him and what I love above all is how generous he was with his money. Always asking young artists he knew if they had enough money when he met them. Surely a sensitive soul like Mark is now enjoying a wonderful next life. Enjoyed your video. Thank you.

[@annedeoedipus7849]

I only found your channel yesterday. I will recommend your videos to kids at my school. You humanise many big art history names which adds an interesting layer of context. I have only seen Rothko paintings in London so my understanding is limited. Thank you for adding to my art resources.

[@arthistorystorytime]

Wow, thank you! Glad you enjoyed. What did you think of the Rothko in person?

[@annedeoedipus7849]

@@arthistorystorytime it is a memorable experience. Having those paintings together in the one room is good for the interplay between them. I think of them as ethical paintings; they invite you to think but don’t impose what to think and I appreciate that instead of the reductivism of polemical artwork. They lend themselves to the aesthetic experience described in The Birth of Tragedy. I have wondered how I would have responded if I knew nothing about Rothko beforehand; even the Nietzsche book just mentioned probably came to mind because, towards the end, that was a philosophical influence on Rothko. Knowing that he died on the same day they (the paintings) arrived in the UK and that his daughter was nine at the time unavoidably coloured the experience.

[@arthistorystorytime]

Context has its weight to it for sure.

[@matthewschwartz6607]

I recently got the James Breslin biography on Rothko. Very impressive and well-researched .

[@afterimage1993]

I didn’t know about this, and a great story to tell. I looked at the like/view/sub count and thought “wait…what? This can’t be right” you are way too underrated

[@43_CHANNEL43]

OMG u don't have 1k views/likes/subs/ x day and U are still interesting!!! Grow up man

[@3rdandzen97]

The first time I saw a Mark Rothko in person was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and I literally gasped. It’s hard to put into words why that happened, why that reaction, and why I love his work and why I’m so moved by his pieces. But being unable to adequately verbalize all of that is fitting. I would love to experience the Rothko Chapel, and I appreciate your video and insights. Thank you so much!!

[@winterkitten]

This came up in my algorithm, even though I have never seen a Rothko art in person. Makes me want to deep dive into his art thanks to this informative yet entertaining video! Thank you Stephanie XD

[@arthistorystorytime]

That’s great and you should if you’d like because this video only scratches the surface. Sometimes I wonder if I should make mine a lot longer to include a ton more information.

[@myheadisaturnip]

I was fortunate to spend many hours in front of Rothko's works in London at the Tate Modern and other galleries. At the time I did not know much about the artist and his struggles, but the work immediately spoke to me on that deeper level you mention in the video. The works seem on a surface level quite simple, just blocks of color. But in person, especially with the scale, they tap into something and you can just stare, like a meditation and communion at once. I think he succeeded in his work, it is sad that his life was unhappy. I often wonder if there is another way for artists who struggle with depression/anxiety such as Van Gogh, Rothko, and many others. Is suffering the entry price for some artists to create their work?

[@arthistorystorytime]

That’s amazing that you got to spend time with an original Rothko without much context and really felt something. That sounds exactly like how Rothko himself would have wanted you to experience his work. And I don’t think a negative life experience is the entry ticket to a good artist but it is certainly a good outlet or medicine so to speak for the strife of life.

[@VDA194]

Just found your channel. Love your videos. Sometimes I forget how great art makes me feel. Thanks for reminding me.

[@arthistorystorytime]

That made my day! This is exactly why I want to make these types of videos. Also to remind myself what I love about art, the process, the history, the feelings, all of it. 😁

[@Ikaros23]

Excellent work!.

[@ericargo9157]

I just found your channel. LOVE IT...all caps. As an artist myself the personal joy of creating is very fulfilling. I enjoy and create pop art. Warhol, Lichtenstein and Robert Indiana are some of my favorite creators. "An artist cannot fail, it is a success to be one" Charles Horton Cooley

[@TheAverycross]

I haven't seen any of Mark Rothko's works yet, but your talk has me deeply interested in wanting to explore them further and for myself. The way you described Mr. Rothko as both an artist and a person, I was led to believe that the colors existing in his work expressed his feelings and outlook on life, making his work feel more like a personal *diary* than a portfolio for the public. Thanks again for another rewarding talk!

[@arthistorystorytime]

True! his works do feel more like his diary in paint, telling of things that are beyond words.

[@philhayhoe1]

How did I go when I first saw a Rothko? Oh I cried my eyes out. Still hard to know why exactly.

[@heidiholycross-lui7340]

This was my experience too. It was overwhelming, and it happens every single time I encounter his work.

[@flxckos]

Keep up the posts These will have Many more views in the future

[@josephrapp]

My personal experience-I saw several of his works ;I cried at one in particular...Orange on Green field painting. He was able to convey/evoke emotion well. I have loved his work now for many years. I miss him.

[@chantaldesjardins7763]

In the 90 i dreamed of a voice speaking .i could nt see anyone but it was a message saying::Colors represents our emotions.../I asked who is speaking in my dream and He Said; ." Mark Rothko.".i woke up and felt encouradge to do art with his reflection.Thank you for explaining Mark Rothko point of view in his expression of art.

[@arthistorystorytime]

Wow! Dreams and visions can be so fascinating! And awesome that it lead to creating some art.

[@cedarraine7829]

Great video ❤

[@josephinemarino389]

Extremely well done. Love his work always ❤️

[@davidwilsonBC]

"They don't understand me." (I find it hard to understand anyone who drinks all day... for various reasons.) If someone defines themself idiosyncratically, however 'deeply', it does not mean that they 'know' who they are, or that they have in some way, adequately described themself. Being " misunderstood" is so easy. When a person knows who they are they do not imagine that many others will as well. Each time I see a video that includes Rotho's paintings I notice I am trying to see more than I see, and this happens because I am trying to see what surely others must see... that I am missing. But now, I just think Mark was trying to be deep and go 'beyond' other artists the way millions of artists also do. We have all been conned into this competitiveness as if we were being taunted by sideline 'art appreciators' and urged to become the best. I, however, fancy that art comes from a person whose 'motives' are inspired and not competitive at all. What I see looking at a Rothco is color. I like colors. I also like these videos a lot. Stephanie has just about a perfect face and the attitude is enticing. We can feel her own interest. Thank you for your work!!!

[@GodKiller97]

Well this is a take of all time.

[@DK-jg5vk]

Intriguing theory about Rothko's venture into black and grey in his later paintings. My belief was that when an artist feels the biological clock running low on ticks, they enter a state of mental clarity and strip away everything in their art that is unneeded to convey the thoughts and feelings they paid little attention to in earlier years of their lives. And it's a beautiful thing that artists aren't afraid to "talk" about death in a very real and profound way because it is something we each will face.

[@arthistorystorytime]

I like how you put it about mental clarity and aging.

[@DK-jg5vk]

@@arthistorystorytime I feel it is important to note that in the case of suicide, the victim has usually lived with the inevitability of their demise for years if not a lifetime; it's rarely a spontaneous event and often people in that state of mind know when the inevitable is drawing close. For anyone having these feelings, please don't be afraid to reach out for help.

[@catpaws2452]

Hello!! Whether you are making KZbin purely for fun, extra cash (or full time cash haha, or any other reason, seriously continue making videos! You are amazing and speak very elegantly. Really great stuff 🍀☺️ cheers!

[@arthistorystorytime]

Thank you so much for your support. 🥰 It’s super appreciated. I’m making these as a productive and creative outlet for the many hours I’m happy to spend going through books or internet rabbit holes about art. Last year I realized..”I do this research for fun anyway, why not compile it for others to watch”

[@Impulseartworks]

Agreed

[@simonkempe1212]

I keep some of his work as background images as a reminder to myself of the dangers of taking abstraction too far. At first I didn't understand his art at all and then they inspired me and then you end up seeing too many modern painters copying his style and it all ends up feeling like.. abstraction taken too far. Like a dim mirror. Pointless. I think Rothko remains relevant because of how untroubled our artists are. And that's why I liked your "under the influence" thing. It's very relevant. Thanks, keep it up.

[@xxchickenjoe]

yeah, thx for this video

[@richardbug3094]

I don't consider myself an arts person in the slightest but your presentation has me enthralled about art for the first time ever.

[@arthistorystorytime]

That is amazing to hear!

[@brianoakes3809]

1969 and the lunar landing seem so on the nose with Black and Grey series (some look like the ocean at night to me). I agree with the Chapel view you have. To struggle all your life and to be accepted and revered while still alive is quite a cross to bear if you feel unworthy. That, plus declining health and advancing to the end of the color spectrum when color seems to be your apex expression. All has a poetic justice to it that excites even myself if I try to imagine what must have been going through his head. Sad though, that the struggle of an artist makes someone as lucky as him miss the mark of what life could have truly been like for him given the opportunity and world that was opening up for him, if he wanted to evolve and change his perspective on life like he did on canvas.

[@Enhancedlies]

This was just brilliant, and when i went to subscribe i was expecting substantial sub count! 420,000 maybe haha You are just waiting to take off, I'm sure of it. :)

[@arthistorystorytime]

Thank you so much for your support. 🥰 More art videos coming your way.

[@edwardduarte7393]

Great job! I really wanted to see Red when it was in LA. Sold out. I was even trying to get a just a single seat as well. What is interesting is the most valuable paintings the artists either were alcoholic that led to suicide. Pollock to Van Gogh to Rothko even Bacon as well.

[@crutcrutcrut]

I knew Rothko's paintings from a book of american contemporary arts in 1997.

[@salemtv5808]

Can’t believe no one is mentioning how hot Steph is!

[@m.oldani]

😊

[@PatsyC57]

It was dark, blue and black like a threatening storm brewing. The UofA owns one and they take special care that it has the right light for viewing. At first, I felt like an empty canvas, I sat and thought of nothing but then I wondered how he got to the point of discovering those colors absent of form, will stay with you. Years after, I realized he was already depressed when he painted this particular piece.

[@arthistorystorytime]

“Colors absent from form” I like that, the sentence echos in my head for a moment. A threatening storm is also an interesting view on such a piece. Thank you for watching! 🥰

[@eldebtor6973]

Hard to think up until a few years ago those paintings were guarded by someone's grandmother asking you to sign the guestbook on your way out lol

[@albertofernandez6140]

Art speak for itself don't need to explain anything ..that's why we need real art .

[@colleenmallette9679]

Which is the Sarahgreen link you mentioned?

[@arthistorystorytime]

It's in the description

[@elee9056]

apparently his neighbor lady would check on him during his last few months because he wouldnt eat or take care of himself, just drink and work. she stumbled upon him drawing the last work and ran out to ask for help because she somehow felt from his last drawing that his death is imminent. i was lucky enough to be at a right place and right time. stumbled upon a showcase while i was traveling over sea. when i saw it myself………

[@TheObSeRvErTheObSeRv]

He reminds me of Caspar David Friedrich. Take a look at..............The Monk by the Sea

[@arthistorystorytime]

Ooooo I looove Friedrich! And thank you! Wow hadn’t seen that painting before. He takes enough of a big step back in perspective with that painting that it’s touching abstract territory. So cool!

[@turkson1]

​@@arthistorystorytime Friedrich retro at the Met in Feb 2025! Thanks for introducing Rothko to the uninitiated. Put a Giacometti figure in front of a Rothko black and gray for an Existential Monk by the Sea.

[@MM-vs2et]

Never heard of this dude. Interesting story and art. Great piece!

[@arthistorystorytime]

Happy to have brought a new piece of art info into your visual sphere! Thanks for watching! 🥰

[@Amy-m9s]

When you think about the objective of the chapel the paintings express the dark truth

[@matthewschwartz6607]

There is some speculation that he did NOT commit suicide! Some people say that he was murdered .

[@issues9828]

That shirt color is perfect for your skin tone and hair color.

[@jhb61249]

Mark Rothko was and is number one as an art maker and an art thinker as well a s humane being. Anyone else involved is just an opportunist at some degree taking advantage of a lover.

[@camloff]

Cute Stephany and clever girl. It is great listen to you.

[@quicknumbercrunch8691]

Since a teenager I have seen the Chapel works and other works of Rothko many times. I liked them, but last week I went to the exhibition at the Louis Vuitton Center and was blown away. I do not believe he tried to express emotions and all his other claims. What one has is a chance to deconstruct how the brain creates colors. The works saturate the field of vision with two or three color combinations that it has never before experienced and so goes in search of a narrative where none is offered. I tried to stop my narratives and be overwhelmed knowing that the drug free tripping, while dangerous, would not last long. My son and his girlfriend would expect me to leave the center with them, the center would close, my body would tire, and the trip would end. I believe such experiences are healthy. A brain message without a goal.

[@SenChandan]

Dark art…

[@mike_lambert]

For half my life I never really appreciated Rothkos work. In fact when I was young Rothko was often held up by the media as an example of pretentious art. When I actually saw his work in real life it left its mark on me. There's an undefinable quality to his work which is hard to put into words. All I can think to say is "its moving".

[@ricardolinares9832]

I find them to be very inspired decorations and I have no doubt that if Rothko would be alive to read that he would shoot himself in the head. Art often originates from the unconscioous ness of a mentally ill human being. Maybe glorifying it as we do encourages that state of being as a means of individual expression. In the end whether it is Hemmingway blowing his head off or Rothko painting one last Rothko with his own blood in the kitchen sink this formk of human expression should be described for what it is. Decoration that is pretty to some and beautiful to others and just a smear of colors representing the emotions of an alcoholic hell bent on imposing his gloom and doom upon the culture. I won't be praying nor meditating at the Chapel that's best left to the rich folks who worship 'priceless' works of art because the artist added value by slashing into death. Rothko was right about Pop so he can't be all bad and all gloom and doom.

[@arthistorystorytime]

I like this view. It’s taking into account a bigger perspective. While reading about this sometimes I thought, “damn Mark just let people enjoy things, it doesn’t always HAVE to be so deep to some for it to be appreciated and loved”.

[@ricardolinares9832]

@@arthistorystorytime Sadly when depression grabs hold of great artistic inspiration, it in turns inspire others to get depressed. Art is not mre than truth and beauty but for too many it is money or worse religious idol worshipping. We now live in a time that everyone can be an artist as good as Rothko yet we allow artist like Rothko somehow be modern day Saints that ruin truth and beauty with their depraved souls. In time as people awaken to how Pop and so many others monetized art into the m oney laundering instruments that it has become we all will better off with ur humanity.

[@beyondher]

You sound like a frustrated artist. It's sad that you can't see the beauty and depth in his work

[@ricardolinares9832]

@@beyondher All artist are frustrated, in fact mst human beings are too. Usually sciopaths and psychopaths are the ones untroubled by their mortal coil. My thery of art is that we now live in a time that all human beings can be better artists than any reknown artist (living or dead). Most of us are too lazy to try to make better than what Rothko made. For me art as far as I can tell has become money and decoration instead an expression of beauty and truth. I judge art history by watching what kind of lives these self destructive human beings like Rothko lived and whatever decorative prettiness his paintings brught into the world his own existence was a hot mess and nothing more. Ntic how art history and the art market have converged in that most that are coveted and revered are simply the ones that ended up destroying themselves without rhyme or reason or made life hell for those around them. I make art everyday and I could care less whether any of it is any good and I am fortunate that I do not have to make a living making art. Neither sense of worth frustrates me. In fact since what I make eventually will end up in sme landfill makes me fill humble and very presnt in the here and now and gives my existence bearable. Again why can't we (museums and art dealers) traffic in works by none self destructive 'tortured' artists that always end the same. Think of the greats in the distant past Leonardo, Raphael and Micheangelo and I do not mean the ninja turtles. In fact the ninj turtles are better art than Rothko if I had to decorate my home. I hope this makes you laugh because in reading your respnse I wondered if you are a carefree rich person who bought the stains of a very unhappy and FRUSTRATED human being. Be well and yes be good because Mark Twain was wrong being lonesome sometimes in this very nasty world can be a relief from the madding crowd that worships at Chapels were rich soulless zombies gather.

[@tommyapocalypse6096]

To call an exhibit of a guy who topped himself because he felt misunderstood a “holy place” or a “chapel” shows a marked misunderstanding of what defines holy and sacred. Here’s the hard truth: Rothko’s art is… boring. I’ve stood and sat in front of enough of his paintings for enough time to draw this conclusion. Nice colors, but almost nothing else. Give me a Franz Kline or a Helen Frankenthaler painting any day of the week. Hell, toss in a Francis Bacon while you’re at it.

[@TheBillaro]

every documentary on rothko quotes the same tired lines....

[@arthistorystorytime]

Do you have any new ones for me? 😁

[@TheBillaro]

@@arthistorystorytime Do your research.

[@vic3925]

you are deeply gorgeous

[@TheBillaro]

The narrative that "Rothko's work got darker because he was depressed is lazy and inaccurate. Look at his oeuvre.

[@amsumalivallaart2805]

It’s a pity He couldn’t overcome his addictions Drinking all day Sure he was depressed

[@eligoitein6499]

These paintings SU

[@arthistorystorytime]

A very valid counterpoint to the popular praise of his work. Thank you!

[@torblixa7760]

you are no helping

[@claireseyeviewonredbubble]

Artists create with passion, thoughts and feelings, expressed in their work. Galleries and dealers don't, they market it to make money. And people viewing the work can only understand what they're capable of interpreting. It's a very personal thing and Mark probably felt very alone if he didn't find anyone who saw what he saw or felt what he felt.