Tragedy, Ecstasy and Doom Mark Rothko (1903-1970) was a great advocate of the artist's total freedom of expression and shunned classifications and any attempt to interpret his paintings. Although he is considered a key figure in Abstract Expressionism, which was formed in New York City, Rothko rejected labels and insisted on the creation of "a full experience between painting and viewer.

After a figurative phase, Rothko developed his emblematic canvases of brightly coloured blocks in red, yellow, ochre, brown, black and green. He emphasised that he had not eliminated the human figure with these bright, vivid spaces of colour, but replaced it with symbols or forms that contained all the tragedy of the human condition. At the same time, he explicitly attributed to the viewer the power to interpret his work. A painting lives in company," he said, "expanding and coming to life before the eyes of the sensitive viewer. From his early beginnings to his most famous colour fields, this book uncovers the intelligence and influence of Rothko's dramatic, intimate and revolutionary work.

About the series: Each book in TASCHEN's minor art series includes: a detailed chronological summary of the artist's life and work addressing his historical and cultural significance; a concise biography; approximately 100 colour illustrations with explanatory commentary.