No.8 (1952) - Mark Rothko & Sensations

Personal Reflection

In order to comfort his friend, who felt the wrath of public opinion, Victor Hugo once famously stated, "You have enemies? Why, it is the story of every man who has done a great deed or created a new idea." I find this quote best exemplifies Rothko's work and his continuous controversy within the art community. Not interested in representational art, Rothko turned to the abstract in order to depict base human emotions. This painting not only resonates with me on an emotional level but also on a physical one. When I view this painting, I feel the need to squint. It is as if I am looking into the sun itself. The immense size of the piece (173 × 205 cm) only adds to this illusion. The effect of the painting is not limited to my vision. My entire body feels intense heat, which seems to emanate from the canvas. If I look at it long enough, I almost feel the need to sweat. These sensations are not limited to No. 8. I have heard numerous stories of individuals being brought to tears when face to face with many of his works. Rothko's specialty was never his technical skill, but rather his profound ability to instill not only emotions but also physical sensations within the viewers of his work.