MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITIONS

Installation of Mark Rothko's Mural

In 1952, Rothko stated that he had "a deep sense of responsibility for the life my pictures will lead out in the world." Accordingly, the artist attempted to influence the circumstances under which his work was viewed, often expressing strong preferences for wall color, hanging height, and lighting. The Seagram and Harvard mural commissions, which enabled him to create work for controlled architectural environments, were of profound importance to the artist. Unfortunately, neither series of panels can be seen as it was originally conceived. Rothko ultimately withdrew from the Seagram Building commission, believing that an extravagant dining room was an inappropriate environment for the placement of his work. The six Harvard mural panels were completed in 1962 and installed in 1964 in the university's Holyoke Center. Their appearance was significantly altered through exposure to light, however, prompting their eventual removal in 1979. While neither setting can be duplicated here, by exhibiting multiple panels produced for these commissions, we can approximate Rothko's ambition to create unified interiors--an enduring aspect of his legacy.

Installation of Mark Rothko's Mural