The Artist's Reality - Philosophy of Art

"I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this publication, thoughtfully and judiciously reviewed by the artist's son Christopher Rothko, is a major event. This is a comprehensive theory of art, meticulously prepared by a fundamental American painter on the verge of reaching his artistic maturity."
Jed Perl, New Republic

Mark Rothko (1903 - 1970), one of the most important artists of the twentieth century, created a new and enthusiastic form of abstract painting throughout his career. He also published numerous articles and criticisms throughout his life, making his thoughtful, insightful, and unyielding voice heard in the contemporary art world. Although he did not compile and publish these diverse and complex ideas in a book during his lifetime, Rothko's heirs have stated that Rothko occasionally spoke of such a text among his friends and business associates.

This enlightening book, probably written in 1940-41 and kept in storage since the artist's death over thirty years ago, reveals Rothko's thoughts on the modern art world, art history, myth, beauty, the challenges of being an artist in society, the true nature of "American art," and many other topics. The Artist's Reality is presented to the reader with an introduction by Christopher Rothko, who shares the complex and fascinating process from the discovery of the text to its preparation for publication.