I am sure my 3 year old nephew can paint a Rothko painting. Why is Mark Rothko's art so highly priced?

Maybe my details to this questions should also be minimalistic:





Yeah, why?I am sure my 3 year old nephew can paint a Rothko painting. Why is Mark Rothko's art so highly priced?
There's something you have to understand about the fine art world: It is corrupt.





So why is a painting that took months and is absolutely awe inspiring with the craftsmanship and detail (look at some of the top fantasy works on Deviant Art) not valued at all while a painting that looks like it took 5 hrs is setting records on Sotheby's? Prestige. Nothing more.





I'm not saying these are bad artists - just that the only reason they are priced so much is that a trend was set amongst rich people (people who have enough money to burn 30000$ on a sculpture of a dog turd).





One person's inspiration is another person's turnoff. If you happen to be an artist who's work piques the interest of the rich, you're in luck. If the rich are not interested in your work OR the medium that you work in, then it doesn't matter how good you are...your work will never sell for much more than materials and labor.





The rich control the fine art world. And the rich are into prestige. It is the same reason why people buy clothes just for the label. Does it mean those 90$ Abercrombie jeans are better than the 10$ ones at Target? No. Just the name...





The marketability of the artist him/herself is also a factor in public appeal. People with interesting stories to tell (like artists with mental disorders) tend to instantly make their artwork more unique due to the intrigue factor. I am reminded of a rubber ducky that sold on ebay for I think it was 140$. The reason it sold for so much? The seller wrote a nice story about how it was cursed.





There are many brilliant artists in the art community. I go on Deviant Art and find stuff sometimes that just blows me away. I would pay much much more for a lot of the art there than some overhyped avante-garde crap. It is just one of the harsh realities of the art world: The personal tastes of the rich with money to burn control who becomes famous.





The value of any artwork is in the eye of the beholder. If the beholder is rich, then all the better for the artist, or at least the artist's work...I am sure my 3 year old nephew can paint a Rothko painting. Why is Mark Rothko's art so highly priced?
ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM he was the pioneer for this style of painting. Each of these formless paintings are stunning and beautiful in their colors and painting style, but ambiguous to shape and more so non representational. But later, he revealed that these paintings represent doors and windows for Rothko to escape. Research his earlier paintings, they were figurative, and not colorful. He became famous for these simple square paintings because he was insane and became obsessed thinking he could actually jump in and through these paintings to escape reality. If he could actually do that, then he'd be successful, but he couldn't and these paintings were failures to him.


He was extremely troubled, he cursed and was unpleasant to be around, he eventually committed suicide.
Before you make an argument against the work of Mark Rothko, answer these questions.





1. What was the historical context in which Rothko was painting his work?





2. What type of paint did Rothko use?





3. How did he apply it? In thin washes or in thick layers? How does the application of this paint effect the end result?





4. What are the various stages in Rothko's development? Who inspired him and why?





5. What was Rothko trying to say in his work?





6. How big are his paintings? How does the size affect the viewer's interpretation of the work?





7. Were his paintings revolutionary in style during his time, or were they derivative of other work being created at that time?





Until you can answer these questions, you really have no foundation upon which to form an opinion of Rothko's work.





And...if your nephew can paint a Rothko, why isn't he?
Because he was the first to paint like that in his time period. And if you are the first to do something, you get popular. Nowadays if somebody paint like rothko, its not going to sell. But if the painting is original painting donr by Rothko, it will sell alot.





So in other words, its all about LUCK and at the RIGHT TIME.





But then again, he died...so its really all about luck and right time. and ya people always get famous when they died.
Im sorry, but you are mistaken, your 3 year old CAN NOT make a rothko painting.





BUT, to understand why his paintings, and so many other artists like him have such highly priced artwork, you have understand art history. SO, if you really want to know why, take an art history college class, and maybe you can open your eyes a bit.
Mormonboy's answer is really wonderful. Originality, intent, universality and experimentation are all at the core of the art that has become well respected. I, too, can create a painting in the style of Rothko, but it will never be a Rothko. It will be simply derivative.
because of idiocy of the world around us his paintings became unpricable...I mean ok i know they kind of have a meaning, but not become popular,you find other better artists that dont become famous. Well it's luck in life.These paintings are beautiful in a way if you


1. do it yourself


2. not paying for such a piece of art


3. and if you know were to hang it, if you have a modern place they usually adapt to that place nicely


4.as you said, almost anyone can do something similar , therefore i think that instead of buying it , it'll be nicer if you or daughter etc...do it
because his works are original, unique and an abstract masterpiece





';I’m not an abstractionist. I’m not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I’m interested only in expressing basic human emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on.'; - Mark Rothko
He's not 3 and still he can.





Yes that is the actual reason. He can do what almost no mature, developed person can; use his 'inner child' to paint.





I'm sure most critics will say I'm over simplifying but that is basically it.
because the is a meaning behind his paintings. he was interested in the ways colours went together.


he didn't just do minimalism he did other works too just those happen to be more well known.


have you seen his works from 1947?
The thing about the Rothko works is that they are huge, and you nearly get lost in them. Can your nephew paint something like that?





Didn't think so.
Because some times people put meaning into a painting that isn't there. Because people are gullible enough to listen to art critics instead of just buying what they like!
It's like saying; ';what's so great about Captain Cook, my 3 year old can find Australia too.';





Have you seen a Rothko? I understand your question but I think your picking on the wrong guy.
Because it's by Rothko.
name Mark Rothko's
Because rich idiots see something in his scribbles and pay for it. I'm sure it is also a status thing - '; I have an original Rothko'; or original whatever - blah blah blah - for so many rich folks, it is just an investment and they have no taste anyway. Doesn't seem fair, huh. Get a good pr person and you can also be rich making illegible junk.