Seagram’s Commission

Seagram’s commission

I interpret the series of paintings as a form of elegance. I believe that they are trying to convey a story that cannot be spoken through paintings of people or objects. These paintings feel rawer compared to other paintings like still life’s, as it hits the viewer harder with emotions like anger and sadness. The way colours are used within these paintings as it captures the eye through use of contrasts and the sheer size of the art. I believe these paintings are a reflection on how the artist wants was feeling at the, time the paintings were created and his viewpoint on life. I quite like the paintings as they are nothing like I have ever seen before and challenge me to think. The colours make me feel a certain way, like the way red is used. I feel angry towards it, but the painting challenges me to think why I feel that way.

After increasing my personal knowledge by viewing the video. I learnt that the Seagram paintings are by Mark Rothko and that he created some of them for Four Seasons in Manhattan. Upon also learning that he made them to show how is feelings towards American society and government and as well as them being based off his mental state at the time. After knowing that he committed suicide, to me the paintings become a little bit morbid as I think of the reds as his pool of bloold in which he laid in when he slit his wrists.