Art Box Portal //

The recent Mark Rothko exhibition at the National Museum in Oslo, which ran from May 6 to September 22, 2024, was the first major showcase of Rothko’s work in the Nordic region. Featuring nearly 80 pieces, it offered a unique glimpse into his iconic abstract art, known for its emotional depth and vibrant color fields.

More Than Just Canvases

While Rothko is best known for his large, abstract paintings, the exhibition highlighted his lesser-known works on paper—around 1,000 pieces. These works, ranging from landscapes and portraits to his signature color fields, challenge traditional ideas of painting and reveal a different side of Rothko’s creative journey. He believed his art expressed deep human emotions—grief, joy, tragedy—and preferred his paintings to be displayed without glass or frames, allowing for an intimate connection between the viewer and the work.

Four Key Periods

The exhibition traced four important periods in Rothko’s career where works on paper played a vital role in shaping his artistic style. Visitors could see how his technique evolved, particularly after his 1968 heart attack, which led him to work on smaller, more manageable formats.

A Glimpse into His Final Years

Rothko’s later works, often darker in tone with shades of black, brown, and grey, reflected a shift in his mental state, although some bright hues of purple and blue remained. The exhibition offered a deeper understanding of this period, revealing the complexity of his last years before his death in 1970.

Exhibition and Accompanying Books

Organized by the National Gallery of Art in Washington in collaboration with the National Museum, the exhibition ran until September 22, 2024. Accompanying the exhibition were two books: Mark Rothko. Paintings on Paper (2023) and Mark Rothko. A Rough Guide (2024), offering further insights into the artist’s life and work.

I am interested only in expressing basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom … 
                                                                                                                                  Mark Rothko

For those who missed the exhibition, a 3D virtual tour remains available to explore Rothko’s captivating works online.