“Orange and Yellow” Art by Mark Rothko

The abstract art movement played a pivotal role in putting modern painting at the center of the art world during the 20^th century. Perhaps one of the most recognized and esteemed artists of his time was none other than Mark Rothko.

While not entirely subscribing to the abstract movement, instead highlighting the transcendental experience, Rothko was one of this time’s contemporaries.

Created in 1956, “Orange and Yellow” is one of the artist’s most defining color field paintings to date. It is a type of sectional art that defined the latter part of Rothko’s career.

Get to know this piece and the message behind this thought-evoking painting that rings true today.

Who Is Mark Rothko?

Mark Rothko was a contemporary American Abstract Expressionist during the mid-20^th century in New York, alongside the likes of Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. While he was most closely associated with abstract art, Rothko explored various schools.

Today, he is best known for his sectional color field paintings featuring his masterful use of colors and luminous rectangles across large-scale canvasses. His main objective was to take viewers on a journey toward introspection to see beyond what was in his paintings.

Prior to his specialization in abstract expressionism, and later color field painting, Rothko actually started his artistic journey through one-man shows. In fact, he worked with federally sponsored projects before veering off and experimenting with other schools.

While he started the 1940s by depicting scenes of isolation and mystery within urban life, to depict the harsh realities faced during the Second World War, he transitioned to using themes of death and survival, often using concepts that come from religions and myths around the world.

During 1943, Rothko leaned into abstract expressionism more and this school was prevalent well until the 1950s. His signature works, however, all pointed to color field painting.

This usually consisted of painting colored rectangles across massive canvases, with these rectangles often juxtaposed against other equally colored backgrounds.

“Orange and Yellow” Art by Mark Rothko

One of Rothko’s paintings that fell under color field painting is his masterpiece titled “Orange and Yellow.” Made in 1956, “Orange and Yellow” is now displayed in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York, in the United States.

As with his other creations, Rothko’s “Orange and Yellow” oil painting is on the larger side, measuring 91 x 71 inches or 231.14 x 180.34 centimeters.

This particular piece features a vertical canvas containing a smaller yellow rectangle on top of an orange rectangle, both of which stand against a lighter orange background.

Upon looking closely, it appears the lines or borders between the two rectangles are non-existent. Instead, they blur, giving way for one color to blend seamlessly with one other.

The luminosity of his work stems from his expert use of oil pastels, layering one stroke over the other to achieve the radiance prevalent in this work. The layers of color are also apparent while also seamlessly blending onto one another.

The smaller bright yellow rectangle and the larger and equally vibrant orange stand against the softer and more muted orange in the background, almost a tangerine.

This play on colors is remarkable as it highlights Rothko’s masterful use of light, allowing us to see the luminosity of the yellow interacting with the glow of the orange rectangle.

At the same time, the use of the lighter-colored orange hue in the back seems to impart radiance to the whole painting.

In many ways, the lack of dramatic strokes and reliance on a more simple, straightforward approach effectively showed the melting of colors against the soft edges of the rectangles.

The size of the canvas, juxtaposed with Rothko’s play on colors, creates a stunning sense of intimacy.

Meaning Behind the “Orange and Yellow” Artwork

Rothko mainly capitalized on color to portray the varying human emotions we experience, with an emphasis on the transcendental experience. As a matter of fact, he intended for his work to be viewed at a closer range to allow viewers to feel the immensity of the painting.

His “Orange and Yellow” artwork is no different. The blurred edges on the rectangles move viewers to a contemplative state. Designed to help viewers experience what he experienced when he was painting them.

Through this particular piece, Rothko connected with viewers and achieved the transcendental state he has long been trying to make. This luminous play on “Orange and Yellow” touches on an introspective and spiritual message that goes beyond time and space.

In terms of color psychology, yellow connotes images of happiness, warmth, and sunshine, all evoking a sense of hope.

Similarly, orange also evokes warmth and energy and commands attention. Since it is also a warm color, it can also bring messages of happiness and change.

Rothko’s “Orange and Yellow” painting speaks very much like hope and conversion, a desire to share his happiness and immense feelings with viewers—transcendentalism in every sense of the word.

The seeming glow within also speaks truth to this meaning.

The Bottom Line

Mark Rothko remains one of the greatest painters of all time. His work “Orange and Yellow” is not only a testament to his creative passion but also one that reflects his ever-changing emotions immortalized in paintings. What can you say about this work?