Dark Over Light Earth I -

Rothko famously rejected being labeled an "abstractionist," insisting his work was about human tragedy and the sublime.

For more detailed technical analysis or to see where his works are currently exhibited, you can check the archives of Christie's or WikiArt .

: The shift to darker palettes in the mid-1950s—exemplified by this work—represented a "deepening of feeling" as he wrestled with humanity’s essentially tragic nature. Dark Over Light Earth I

: Rothko recommended standing as close as 18 inches away—the same distance at which he painted them—so the colors could physically and mentally envelop you.

: He aimed for an almost religious experience for the viewer, seeking to eliminate all "obstacles" (like recognizable figures or symbols) between the painter’s idea and the observer. How to View It To experience the work as the artist intended: : Rothko recommended standing as close as 18

: Despite their "grandiose" size, Rothko painted these large works to be very "human and intimate". He believed that when a viewer stands close to a large picture, they are "in it" rather than simply commanding it from the outside.

: Active borders of dark red corral the central shapes, creating a tension between the fields of color. He believed that when a viewer stands close

: He believed that if you were moved to tears, it was because you were communicating with the universal human emotions he poured into the paint.