Composition No 7

Rothko's early figurative work - including landscapes, still life's, figure studies, and portraits - demonstrated an ability to blend Expressionism and Surrealism. His search for new forms of expression led to his Colour Field paintings, which employed shimmering colour to convey a sense of spirituality. Rothko maintained the social revolutionary ideas of his youth throughout his life. In particular he supported artists' total freedom of expression, which he felt was compromised by the market. This belief often put him at odds with the art world establishment, leading him to publicly respond to critics, and occasionally refuse commissions, sales and exhibitions.

A prominent figure among the New York School painters, Mark Rothko moved through many artistic styles until reaching his signature 1950s motif of soft, rectangular forms floating on a stained field of color.   Although Rothko himself refused to adhere to any art movement, he is generally identified as an abstract expressionist. Heavily influenced by mythology and philosophy, he was insistent that his art was filled with content and brimming with ideas.