Mark Rothko: Next to Nothing

This book intends to look beyond the myths surrounding Rothko and calls for a major reassessment of his later works. Leading international critics, including Bryony Fer, David Anfam and Morgan Thomas, explore the late series, including the Black on Grey Paintings, as well as large-scale works on paper from the Rothko family private collection, challenging the standard presentation of Rothko as a painter focused primarily on the effect of colour. Much has been made of the almost mystical ´aura´ of Rothko´s paintings. New research by an international team of experts will reveal previously unknown detail about their manufacture and examine the effect of time on their appearance today. Three timelines will provide a framework for viewing Rothko´s career alongside development in American art and politics, from 1958-1970.