“The journey to understand the painting is also the journey to understand Rothko, because the work is so thoroughly suffused with the man.” —Christopher Rothko

Mark Rothko (1903–1970), a world-renowned iconic representative of Abstract Expressionism, is rediscovered through this wholly original examination of his art and life, written by his son. Christopher Rothko, the younger of the artist’s two children, offers a unique perspective on this modern master, blending rigorous critique with personal narratives.

Christopher Rothko draws from intimate knowledge of the artworks and presents eighteen essays that closely examine the paintings and explore the ways in which they cultivate a profound connection between viewer and artist through form, color, and scale. The significant commissions for the Rothko Chapel in Houston and the mural works at the Seagram Building in New York are extensively analyzed, as are many of the lesser-known and undervalued aspects of Rothko's work, including new assessments of his slow dark canvases and his imposing body of work on paper.

The author also discusses the artist’s writings of the 1930s and 1940s, the significance of music for the artist, and the enduring challenges we face with visual abstraction in the modern age. Finally, Christopher Rothko speaks movingly about his role as the artist’s son, his similarities to his father, and the terms of the relationship they shaped during his childhood.

Mark Rothko: From the Inside Out is a thoughtful reexamination of the legendary artist, offering a passionate introduction for readers who are new to his work and providing a fresh perspective for those who know it well.