In New York, the famed monumental canvas, No. 7 (Dark Over Light) by American Artist, Mark Rothko is set to make its way to the auction block on May 17 for the Christie’s Evening Sale of Post-War and Contemporary Art. No. 7 (Dark Over Light), which was painted in 1954, and at almost eight feet tall, certainly epitomizes Mr. Rothko’s highly coveted grand scale style.
Mark Rothko once remarked (on the subject of size): “I paint very large pictures. I realize that historically the function of painting large pictures is painting something very grandiose and pompous. The reason I paint them, however—I think it applies to other painters I know—it is precisely because I want to be very intimate and human. To paint a small picture is to place yourself outside [your] experience, to look upon an experience as a stereopticon view or with a reducing glass. However, you paint the larger picture, you are in it. It isn’t something you command.”
The sheer size of No. 7 is only paralleled by its magnificent content, which channels intense raw emotion. Additional noteworthy factors that make this work particularly coveted include both the period of the work’s inception as well as its vibrant surface. Characteristically defined by its rapid cloud like corners, No.7 is a perfect demonstration of Rothko’s desire to produce direct works that bring viewers into a pure unperverted state of emotional sentiment.
Jussi Pylkkänen, Christie’s Global President, remarked: “No. 7 (Dark Over Light), comes from a small and highly sought-after group of monumental canvases by Mark Rothko. Standing before this radiant picture, one is immediately enveloped by the dramatic brilliance of Rothko’s artistic vision. Between its intensely kinetic surface and its epic scale, No. 7 is a consummate example of Rothko’s ability to convey pure emotional power. Given the international demand for canvases of this quality by Mark Rothko, we expect that No. 7 will draw enthusiasm from collectors around the globe.”
One of Mark Rothko’s most coveted desires was to depart from the conventional norms associated with the relationship between not only artist and creativity, but also paint and canvas. His efforts proved most successful, especially in the way they altered viewers long established perception of preconceived notions regarding art as an illustration rather than an experience. This pursuit of turning art into an experience governed Rothko’s work for more than a decade, controlled by his two main principles of space and color.
As part of a very limited series Rothko painted in the 50’s, No.7 exhibits dark colors, which reminisces alongside a conquering array of splendid paintings such as No. 203 (Red, Orange, Tan and Purple) and Untitled (Violet, Black, Orange on Gray). First acquired by storied collector, Count Alessandro Panza di Biumo, Sr. in 1961, this is the first time No. 7 has come to auction in over 10 years. No.7 (Dark Over Light) is estimated to fetch somewhere in the region of $30 million USD.
Image credit: CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2018
