Preview
Send
Share
Details
Guide
Download
Similars
X-Ray
Diaporama
StatsNo. 4
Acrylic On Canvas- WallArt
- Color Field painting
1964- Modern
264.0 x 227.0 cm
Read More
The artwork displayed on this page is protected by copyright law, which means we cannot legally create or sell an identical reproduction. This protection is enforced under international agreements such as the Berne Convention and by national laws, including those outlined by the U.S. Copyright Law - Title 17.
This method fully complies with copyright regulations because it does not involve copying or duplicating the protected artwork. Instead, it is a creative reinterpretation - a new painting that is influenced by the original but not identical to it.
Giclée / Art Print
Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (
Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)
P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8
Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.
Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. A print can only be cut, never made bigger than the picture, so a size with a different shape loses a part of the image. We send you a digital mockup to approve before we print anything. The picture shown on this page does not show the real cut — only the mockup does.
Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (18 October)
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
High-Quality Linen Canvas
Full Shipping Insurance
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
True Color Matching Guarantee
100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
100% Money-Back Guarantee
Bulk Discount Offer
Glass option is only available in size under 110 CM
No. 4
Giclée / Art Print
Reproduction Size
-
Total Price
$ 81
A Monument to Subdued Emotion
Created in 1964, this powerful work by Mark Rothko exemplifies the pinnacle of Color Field painting and stands as a testament to his lifelong exploration of human emotion through abstract form. Measuring an impressive 264 x 227 cm, the artwork commands attention not through representational imagery, but through its sheer presence and contemplative atmosphere.
Abstract Expressionism & The Power of Color
Rothko was a central figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, yet he diverged from the gestural energy of artists like Jackson Pollock. Instead, he focused on reducing painting to its most essential elements: color and form. This piece embodies that philosophy, featuring softly blurred rectangular shapes layered within one another. The technique—thin washes of oil paint meticulously applied to build luminous depth—creates a surface that seems to breathe with subtle variations in tone.
Decoding the Visual Language
The composition is strikingly simple: a darker, almost blackish-brown rectangle nested within a surrounding field of maroon and burgundy. This central form isn’t sharply defined; its edges dissolve into the background, fostering a sense of ambiguity and inviting prolonged contemplation. The absence of lines or discernible brushstrokes emphasizes the pure experience of color itself. Rothko deliberately avoided representational imagery, believing that abstract forms could more directly access universal human emotions.
Historical Context & Artistic Intent
Emerging in the post-World War II era, Rothko’s work often grappled with themes of tragedy, existentialism, and spirituality. While he resisted definitive interpretations, his paintings are frequently seen as explorations of profound emotional states – grief, loss, and transcendence. He famously rejected commissions that would place his art within commercial spaces, believing they diminished the intended immersive experience. His Seagram Murals, ultimately donated to the Tate Gallery, exemplify this commitment to preserving the integrity of the artwork’s emotional impact.
Symbolism & Emotional Resonance
The somber palette and minimalist composition evoke a sense of quietude and introspection. The dark central rectangle can be interpreted as a void, a window into another realm, or simply a space for personal reflection. Rothko aimed to create paintings that were not *about* anything specific, but rather *were* emotional experiences in themselves. This artwork’s power lies in its ability to bypass intellectual analysis and connect directly with the viewer's subconscious.
A Statement Piece for Modern Interiors
This reproduction captures the nuanced color variations and subtle textures of the original, making it a compelling addition to any modern or contemporary space. Its large scale creates a focal point that invites contemplation, while its subdued palette complements a variety of interior design schemes. Whether displayed in a living room, study, or gallery-style setting, this artwork promises to inspire conversation and evoke a lasting emotional response.
Questions & Answers
How does "No. 4" balance light and dark?
"No. 4" is deep_shadow overall, and its luminance is dark.
What level of contrast does "No. 4" by Mark Rothko show?
The contrast level of "No. 4" by Mark Rothko is serene.
What is "No. 4" about, and what atmosphere does it have?
"No. 4" by Mark Rothko depicts abstract expressionism, color field, minimalism, rothko, rectangular forms, emotional depth, contemplative, somber mood, in a serene mood. Subject and atmosphere together describe the work.
Artist Biography
A Life Shaped by Displacement
Mark Rothko arrived in the United States as a young boy, part of a family moving from Dvinsk, Latvia, to Portland, Oregon, in 1913. His early years were marked by the heavy atmosphere of the Pale of Settlement, where his family lived amidst political unrest and the fear of pogroms. This sense of instability followed him across the ocean. The loss of his father, Jacob, shortly after their arrival in America added a layer of personal grief to the challenges of settling in a new culture. While he studied at Yale University, the pull of New York City eventually led him to leave formal academics behind for the Art Students League.
His upbringing was one of intellect and debate. His father, a pharmacist with socialist leanings, fostered a home where learning was central. This environment, combined with the hardships of the immigrant experience, created a deep sensitivity to human suffering. These early experiences of loss and the struggle to find a place in a chaotic world became the quiet foundation for everything he would later paint.
From Figures to Fields of Color
In his early years in New York, Rothko focused on realism, painting portraits and urban scenes with careful attention to detail. As the 1940s brought the horrors of World War II, his work began to shift. He moved away from recognizable objects, looking instead toward Surrealism and mythology to find a way to express universal human emotions. During this period, his canvases featured biomorphic shapes that seemed to float between being figures and being abstract forms.
By the late 1940s, he had developed the style that would define his career. He stripped away all imagery, leaving only large-scale canvases with rectangular blocks of color. These forms appeared to hover and resonate against one another. He used thin washes of paint to create subtle changes in tone and texture, making the edges of his shapes appear blurred. He often avoided titles, using simple numbers like No. 1 or No. 6 so that viewers could face the work without any preconceived ideas.
The Search for Emotional Truth
Rothko’s mature period is associated with Color Field painting. His goal was to use color to speak directly to the human soul, bypassing the intellect to reach deep emotions such as tragedy, ecstasy, and despair. He meticulously layered paint to create a sense of depth and light that seemed to come from within the canvas itself. These large works were intended to envelop the viewer in an immersive experience.
His commitment to this emotional honesty led to several significant projects:
- The Seagram Murals, which he originally intended for a New York restaurant but later donated to the Tate Gallery after feeling the setting would compromise the work.
- The Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, a non-denominational space containing fourteen of his paintings in varying shades of black, designed as a place for quiet reflection.
- The Harvard Mural series, which were donated to a dining room at the Holyoke Center.
Despite his immense influence on Abstract Expressionism and the later Minimalist movement, Rothko struggled with depression throughout his life. He died by suicide in 1970. His work remains a central part of modern art history, found in permanent collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.
Mark Rothko
1903 - 1970 , Latvia
Quick Facts
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Abstract Expressionism, Color Field Painting
- Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Minimalist art']
- Full Name: Markus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz
- Nationality: American
- Notable Artworks:
- No. 10
- Seagram Murals
- Untitled
- Place Of Birth: Daugavpils, Latvia
- Date Of Birth: 1903
- Date Of Death: 1970
Related Articles
The Essence of Abstraction: A Definitive Guide to the Power and History of Color Field Painting Masterpieces
Explore the profound emotional depth of Color Field painting. Our expert guide delves into the post-war origins of Abstract Expressionism, analyzing masterpieces by Rothko and Newman. Discover museum-grade, hand-painted oil reproductions that bring art history to your walls.
Mark Rothko's Masterpieces: 25 Paintings That Define Abstract Expressionism | OriginalUniqueArt
Explore 25 iconic Mark Rothko paintings that define Abstract Expressionism. Discover the stories, colors & emotions behind these masterpieces. Find museum-quality art reproductions and curated decor ideas at OriginalUniqueArt.com.
Abstract Expressionism's 10 Defining Masterpieces |
Explore 10 defining Abstract Expressionism masterpieces by Pollock, Rothko & de Kooning. Discover the stories behind these iconic paintings and find museum-quality art reproductions to elevate your home decor on .
Color Field Painting: The Emotional Power of Pure Abstraction and Chromatic Depth
Explore the profound emotional depth of Color Field painting. Discover the history of mid-century abstraction, from Rothko to Newman, and learn how pure color transforms the viewer's experience through our expert art history guide.
The Sublimity of Color: Exploring the Emotional Landscapes of Mark Rothko's Abstract Expressionism
Explore the profound emotional depth of Mark Rothko's abstract expressionism. Discover the history, techniques & lasting impact of this pivotal Color Field painter. Expert insights for collectors and art enthusiasts.
