Mark Rothko's Classic Color Field Phase (1949-1970) represents the most iconic and mature period of his artistic career, a time when he fully developed and refined his signature style of abstract expressionism. This era is distinguished by Rothko's large-scale paintings, featuring soft, rectangular bands of color floating against a contrasting backdrop. The paintings from this period are noted for their emotional depth, simplicity of form, and radiant color, aiming to evoke complex emotional responses from the viewer.
During the early part of this phase, Rothko experimented with the luminosity of color using thin washes of oil- and egg-based media, achieving a rich variety of effects. He played with the orientation of his canvases, sometimes working on them upside down, to explore the interaction of color and form. This method allowed him to create compositions where color and structure were inseparably linked, with the translucency of the paint layers offering a sense of depth (National Gallery of Art).
Rothko's technique and his approach to displaying his artwork were both innovative. He intended his large canvases to be experienced at close quarters, enveloping the viewer in color and creating an intimate yet grand experience. He often hung his paintings low to the ground and in close proximity to one another, to saturate the room with their presence, ensuring they were not merely decorative but a profound emotional and existential statement (National Gallery of Art).
By the late 1950s, Rothko's palette darkened, especially evident in his works for the Seagram Building's Four Seasons restaurant, which he ultimately abandoned due to concerns about the setting's appropriateness for his art. Despite this, these murals marked a shift towards open forms and darker colors that persisted through the 1960s. His work during this period explored the depths of human emotion, moving away from the radiant luminosity of his earlier works to embrace a more somber, meditative quality, particularly in the murals designed for the Rothko Chapel in Houston (National Gallery of Art).
Rothko's artworks are celebrated not just for their visual beauty but for their ability to evoke deep, personal reactions from viewers, transcending the visual to reach into the spiritual and emotional realms. His refusal to see his works in purely formalistic terms, insisting instead on their emotional and philosophical depth, underscores the unique position Rothko occupies in the history of modern art (Whidbey Island Center for the Arts).
These years were not only a period of profound creativity for Rothko but also one of recognition and challenge, as he navigated the complexities of commercial success and artistic integrity. The culmination of Rothko's Classic Color Field Phase showcases his enduring legacy as a master of color and emotion, whose works continue to captivate and engage audiences worldwide (NGA Gallery Store).