Rothko

ASPIRATION Mid-1930s Rothko's early paintings on paper include landscapes, portraits, nudes, and bathers. He exhibited these works throughout the mid-1930s-in fact, his career as an artist began with a solo exhibition of watercolors-and he gave many as gifts to family and friends. But the paintings did not sell well. To supplement his meager income, Rothko taught children's art classes at the Center Academy of the Brooklyn Jewish Center. He took the job seriously, encouraging students to prioritize self-expression over technical skill. He also practiced what he preached. In the 1930s Rothko painted quickly and intuitively, delighting in the fluidity and translucence of water-based paints. His early watercolors reveal an aspiring artist engaging with his role models while searching for his own voice. They also hint at the technique and expressive content of his mature works to come.