One of the most important artists of the twentieth century, Mark Rothko (1903€“1970) created a new and impassioned form of abstract painting over the course of his career. Rothko also wrote a number of essays and critical reviews during his lifetime, adding his thoughtful, intelligent, and opinionated voice to the debates of the contemporary art world. Although the artist never published a book of his varied and complex views, his heirs indicate that he occasionally spoke of the existence of such a manuscript to friends and colleagues. Stored in a New York City warehouse since the artist€s death more than thirty years ago, this extraordinary manuscript, titled The Artist€s Reality, is now being published for the first time.
Probably written around 1940€“41, this revelatory book discusses Rothko€s ideas on the modern art world, art history, myth, beauty, the challenges of being an artist in society, the true nature of €œAmerican art,€ and much more. The Artist€s Reality also includes an introduction by Christopher Rothko, the artist€s son, who describes the discovery of the manuscript and the complicated and fascinating process of bringing the manuscript to publication. The introduction is illustrated with a small selection of relevant examples of the artist€s own work as well as with reproductions of pages from the actual manuscript.
The Artist€s Reality will be a classic text for years to come, offering insight into both the work and the artistic philosophies of this great painter.