Preview
Send
Share
Details
Guide
Download
Similars
X-Ray
Diaporama
StatsNo. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)
Acrylic On Canvas- WallArt
- Color Field Painting
1958
241.0 x 206.0 cm
MOMA - Museum of Modern Art
Rothko's work is characterized by its deliberate reduction of form to color, aiming to bypass intellectual understanding and tap into primal emotions. The painting’s composition—two dominant rectangles juxtaposed with subtle variations in hue—creates a visual experience that prioritizes feeling over representation.
Read More
Mark Rothko mastered Color Field painting with the Seagram Murals. Discover the emotional power of his iconic abstract works today.
The artwork displayed on this page is protected by copyright law, which means we cannot legally create or sell an identical reproduction. This protection is enforced under international agreements such as the Berne Convention and by national laws, including those outlined by the U.S. Copyright Law - Title 17.
This method fully complies with copyright regulations because it does not involve copying or duplicating the protected artwork. Instead, it is a creative reinterpretation - a new painting that is influenced by the original but not identical to it.
Giclée / Art Print
Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (
Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)
P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8
Standard
custom
CM
INCH
Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.
Loading sizes...
width
height
Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. A print can only be cut, never made bigger than the picture, so a size with a different shape loses a part of the image. We send you a digital mockup to approve before we print anything. The picture shown on this page does not show the real cut — only the mockup does.
Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (25 October)
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
High-Quality Linen Canvas
Full Shipping Insurance
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
True Color Matching Guarantee
100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
100% Money-Back Guarantee
Bulk Discount Offer
Glass option is only available in size under 110 CM
No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)
Giclée / Art Print
Reproduction Size
-
Total Price
$ 70
No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow): A Meditation on Color and Emotion
Mark Rothko’s “No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow),” created in 1958, stands as a cornerstone of Abstract Expressionism—a movement that prioritized spontaneous gesture and emotional resonance over representational imagery. This deceptively simple painting embodies the artist's profound exploration of color theory and its ability to evoke visceral responses within the viewer.
- Subject Matter: The artwork eschews recognizable forms, presenting instead two rectangular blocks of color—a dominant expanse of crimson red juxtaposed against a luminous yellow field. A subtle white rectangle bisects each block, creating a layered effect that invites contemplation.
- Style and Technique: Rothko’s method involved applying thin layers of pigment to canvas with a spatula, achieving velvety surfaces that absorb light rather than reflecting it. This technique—often referred to as “color field painting”—was deliberately designed to minimize visual distractions, allowing the colors themselves to dominate the perceptual experience.
- Historical Context: Produced during the height of Rothko’s artistic maturity, "No. 13" reflects the broader intellectual climate of postwar America. Artists like Rothko wrestled with existential questions about human existence and sought ways to express profound emotions through abstract forms. The painting aligns perfectly with the movement's core ethos—to bypass intellect and tap into primal feelings.
The deliberate reduction of color to its purest form speaks volumes about Rothko’s artistic intentions. Critics have interpreted the red as representing passion, anger, or even violence, while the yellow symbolizes optimism, joy, and spiritual illumination. The white rectangle serves as a grounding element, providing visual respite from the intensity of the reds and yellows—a subtle reminder of balance and serenity amidst turbulent hues.
More than just pigment on canvas, “No. 13” is an invitation to engage in a meditative process. Rothko famously stated that he wished to create paintings that would allow viewers to experience “pure emotion,” bypassing rational thought altogether. The painting’s quiet grandeur and understated elegance continue to captivate audiences today, cementing its place as one of the most influential artworks of the 20th century.
- Symbolism: Rothko's use of color is laden with symbolic significance. Red embodies primal energy and passion, while yellow represents enlightenment and spiritual transcendence. The white rectangle acts as a visual counterpoint, suggesting calmness and balance amidst emotional intensity.
- Emotional Impact: Viewing “No. 13” can induce feelings of awe, melancholy, or profound contemplation—responses that underscore the painting’s ability to bypass intellectual analysis and connect directly with the viewer's subconscious mind.
A reproduction of this masterpiece would bring a touch of Rothko’s contemplative spirit into any interior space, offering viewers an opportunity to engage in their own personal dialogue with color and emotion.
Questions & Answers
Which period of Mark Rothko's career does "No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)" belong to?
"No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)" belongs to the Mature Period of Mark Rothko's career. This classification relates the work to the artist's development.
Is there a guide for "No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)" by Mark Rothko?
The guide to "No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)" is the artwork's Guide page - a printable factsheet showing the artwork with its caption, credit line and identity table (artist, dates, medium, original size, collection).
What kind of piece is "No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)"?
"No. 13 (White, Red on Yellow)" by Mark Rothko is classified as wall art. The category describes the kind of artwork the original is.
Artist Biography
A Life Shaped by Displacement
Mark Rothko arrived in the United States as a young boy, part of a family moving from Dvinsk, Latvia, to Portland, Oregon, in 1913. His early years were marked by the heavy atmosphere of the Pale of Settlement, where his family lived amidst political unrest and the fear of pogroms. This sense of instability followed him across the ocean. The loss of his father, Jacob, shortly after their arrival in America added a layer of personal grief to the challenges of settling in a new culture. While he studied at Yale University, the pull of New York City eventually led him to leave formal academics behind for the Art Students League.
His upbringing was one of intellect and debate. His father, a pharmacist with socialist leanings, fostered a home where learning was central. This environment, combined with the hardships of the immigrant experience, created a deep sensitivity to human suffering. These early experiences of loss and the struggle to find a place in a chaotic world became the quiet foundation for everything he would later paint.
From Figures to Fields of Color
In his early years in New York, Rothko focused on realism, painting portraits and urban scenes with careful attention to detail. As the 1940s brought the horrors of World War II, his work began to shift. He moved away from recognizable objects, looking instead toward Surrealism and mythology to find a way to express universal human emotions. During this period, his canvases featured biomorphic shapes that seemed to float between being figures and being abstract forms.
By the late 1940s, he had developed the style that would define his career. He stripped away all imagery, leaving only large-scale canvases with rectangular blocks of color. These forms appeared to hover and resonate against one another. He used thin washes of paint to create subtle changes in tone and texture, making the edges of his shapes appear blurred. He often avoided titles, using simple numbers like No. 1 or No. 6 so that viewers could face the work without any preconceived ideas.
The Search for Emotional Truth
Rothko’s mature period is associated with Color Field painting. His goal was to use color to speak directly to the human soul, bypassing the intellect to reach deep emotions such as tragedy, ecstasy, and despair. He meticulously layered paint to create a sense of depth and light that seemed to come from within the canvas itself. These large works were intended to envelop the viewer in an immersive experience.
His commitment to this emotional honesty led to several significant projects:
- The Seagram Murals, which he originally intended for a New York restaurant but later donated to the Tate Gallery after feeling the setting would compromise the work.
- The Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas, a non-denominational space containing fourteen of his paintings in varying shades of black, designed as a place for quiet reflection.
- The Harvard Mural series, which were donated to a dining room at the Holyoke Center.
Despite his immense influence on Abstract Expressionism and the later Minimalist movement, Rothko struggled with depression throughout his life. He died by suicide in 1970. His work remains a central part of modern art history, found in permanent collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.
Mark Rothko
1903 - 1970 , Latvia
Quick Facts
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Abstract Expressionism, Color Field Painting
- Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Minimalist art']
- Full Name: Markus Yakovlevich Rothkowitz
- Nationality: American
- Notable Artworks:
- No. 10
- Seagram Murals
- Untitled
- Place Of Birth: Daugavpils, Latvia
- Date Of Birth: 1903
- Date Of Death: 1970
Related Articles
The Sublimity of Color: Exploring the Emotional Landscapes of Mark Rothko's Abstract Expressionism
Explore the profound emotional depth of Mark Rothko's abstract expressionism. Discover the history, techniques & lasting impact of this pivotal Color Field painter. Expert insights for collectors and art enthusiasts.
Kandinsky's Masterpieces: 25 Paintings That Define Abstract Art | TopImpressionists
Journey through Wassily Kandinsky's 25 most iconic abstract paintings. Explore his revolutionary use of color, form & spiritual expressionism. Find museum-quality Kandinsky reproductions and elevate your home decor with TopImpressionists.com. Discover all masterpieces on TopImpressionists.com!
Chromatic Atmospheres: Exploring the Philosophical Foundations of Color Field Painting
Explore the philosophical and aesthetic foundations of Color Field painting with TopImpressionists. Discover key artists like Rothko & Newman, its spiritual influences, and lasting impact on modern art. Expert insights for collectors.
Mark Rothko's Masterpieces: 25 Paintings That Define Abstract Expressionism | TopImpressionists
Explore 25 iconic Mark Rothko paintings that define Abstract Expressionism. Discover the stories, colors & emotions behind these masterpieces. Find museum-quality art reproductions and curated decor ideas at TopImpressionists.com.
Abstract Expressionism's 10 Defining Masterpieces |
Explore 10 defining Abstract Expressionism masterpieces by Pollock, Rothko & de Kooning. Discover the stories behind these iconic paintings and find museum-quality art reproductions to elevate your home decor on .
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.
