Mark Rothko was born in Russia, but as a child emigrated to America in 1913.
Rothko briefly followed a number of art courses, but as artist was largely autodidact. From 1947 Rothko began painting in his characteristic style. During the fifties he suffered depressions and alcohol addiction. This is reflected in his paintings, where the colour palette became darker. His international reputation, however, continued to grow steadily. A retrospective exhibition in the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1961 was the final breakthrough for his success.
Mark Rothko
Dvinsk 1903 - New York 1970
