Mark Rothko - by James E B Breslin (Paperback)

About the Book

The first full-length biography of Mark Rothko, one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, tells the story of a life in art and the convergence of genius and ego, culture and commerce that defined the New York art scene of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. 21 color plates.

Book Synopsis

The definitive biography of one of the most-loved artists of the twentieth century, a book the New York Times called "the best life of an American painter yet written"

A book of heroic dimensions, this is the first full-length biography of one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century--a man as fascinating, difficult, and compelling as the paintings he produced. Drawing on exclusive access to Mark Rothko's personal papers and over one hundred interviews with artists, patrons, and dealers, James Breslin tells the story of a life in art--the personal costs and professional triumphs, the convergence of genius and ego, the clash of culture and commerce. Breslin offers us not only an enticing look at Rothko as a person, but delivers a lush, in-depth portrait of the New York art scene of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s--the world of Abstract Expressionism, of Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning, and Klein, which would influence artists for generations to come.

Review Quotes

"This remains beyond question the finest biography so far devoted to an artist of the New York School."--Arthur C. Danto "Boston Globe"

"A must read."-- "Art Newspaper"

"Breslin impressively recreates Mark Rothko's troubled nature, his tormented life, and his disturbing canvases. . . . The artist's paintings become almost tangible within Breslin's pages, and Rothko himself emerges as an alarming physical force."--Robert Warde "Hungry Mind Review"

"Breslin spent seven years working on this book, and he has definitely done his homework."--Nancy M. Barnes "Boston Phoenix"

"Clearly written, full of intelligent insights, and thorough."--Hayden Herrera "Art in America"

"He's made the tragedy of his subject's life the more poignant."--Eric Gibson "The New Criterion"

"In Breslin, Rothko has the ideal biographer--thorough but never tedious, a good storyteller with an ear for the spoken word, fond but not fawning, and possessed of a most rare ability to comment on non-representational art without sounding preposterous."--Robert Kiely "Boston Review"

"The best life of an American painter that has yet been written . . . a biographical classic. It is painstakingly researched, fluently written and unfailingly intelligent in tracing the tragic course of its subject's tormented character."--Hilton Kramer "New York Times Book Review"

About the Author

James E. B. Breslin (1936-96) was professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of From Modern to Contemporary: American Poetry, 1945-1965 and William Carlos Williams: An American Artist.