Red And Black

" Red And Black" by Mark Rothko is a famous painting by the artist depicting yet another form of his style of paintings. Rothko's work is characterized by rigorous attention to formal elements such as colour, shape, balance, depth, composition, and scale; yet, he refused to consider his paintings solely in these terms. He explained: "It is a widely accepted notion among painters that it does not matter what one paints as long as it is well painted. This is the essence of academicism. There is no such thing as good painting about nothing."

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.