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Mark Rothko

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Mark Rothko

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Auction Date:2017 Nov 08 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
American abstract expressionist (1903-1970) best known for his imposing color field paintings. Extremely rare ALS signed by Mark Rothko, “Mark & Mell Rothko,” one page, 5.25 x 7, [circa July 1950]. Letter to surrealist poet, publisher, and art collector George Reavey, in full: "Forgotten and lost voices but here we are, and we hope that if you are wandering about, that in some way this letter will catch you. I am actually writing this letter from Rome, from where we start northward in a few days. We expect to hit Paris about July 20th and England at the beginning of August, from where we sail back to America on Aug. 11th. We are hoping that we can catch you either in Paris or London. There is much that I hope to talk to you about. Please, if this reaches you, let us know c/o American Express, Paris." In fine condition, with a repaired tear to the left edge, and scattered light creasing.

Rothko and his wife Mary Ellen (known as "Mell") visited Europe for five months in 1950, funded by a small inheritance from Mell's mother. This was the artist's first return to the continent since his childhood in the Russian Empire. He visited the important painting collections in the major museums of England, France, and Italy, where he was most impressed by the frescoes of Fra Angelico in the monastery of San Marco, Florence. The recipient of this letter, George Reavey, had met Rothko in New York at the end of the 1940s and they became close friends. This is just the second Rothko autograph we have offered, and the first letter by him that we have ever encountered.