Mark Rothko’s Color Field Artworks Featured in Upcoming Sotheby’s Sale of the Macklowe Collection

Mark Rothko was an abstract artist famous for his color field artworks with rectangular sections. His paintings were known for their carefully curated shapes, color, depth, balance, scale, and composition. In 1949, the painter invented his signature composition involving vertically set rectangular shapes. These shapes were full of dark hues conveying the appearance of both empty space and unmatched brightness. The upcoming Sotheby’s auction of the Macklowe Collection presents an untitled oil painting by Mark Rothko. The available painting depicts three distinct color sections- maroon, black, and cobalt. The line and rich color conflux portray the influence of Henri Matisse on Rothko’s art.

Also showcased is Seestück [Seascape] by contemporary painter Gerhard Richter. The source of the available photorealistic artwork of clouds is from the artist’s personal image archive. Richter’s works bridge painting and photography. They are well-known for their visual effects and combination of Romanticism and abstraction. Alberto Giacometti’s bronze sculpture is another highlight. Stèle II depicts Giacometti’s brother, his preferred subject. The bronze features a heavy-cast bust on a tapered and long pillar, hinting at the Greco-Roman style that honored emperors and noblemen. The sale will also feature an artisanal porcelain sculpture from Jeff Koons’ Banality series, as well as works by Andy Warhol, Sigmar Polke, Willem de Kooning, John Chamberlain, Donald Judd, and Pablo Picasso. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Sotheby’s.