Chapter 1
The journey to the color fields
Chapter 2
The secret chemistry of glowing canvas
Chapter 3
The great dining room rebellion
Chapter 4
The sanctuary of shadows
YOUR GOAL
Master of Mark Rothko and the secret chemistry of emotion
Ch 4 · The sanctuary of shadows
choko The Rothko Chapel
Fourteen canvases painted dark as night, Shifting with the touch of the changing light.
choko In 1964, two French art collectors hired Rothko to design a sacred chapel in Houston.
choko Fourteen massive paintings wrap around visitors to trigger deep, unexplained tears.
BETA
choko Arrange giant color rectangles to discover how abstract art triggers deep, unexplained feelings.
Fun Fact
A silent sanctuary: The Rothko Chapel in Houston is completely non-denominational and open to all faiths.
Glossary
chapel (noun)
A small building or room used for religious worship, prayer, or quiet contemplation. In 1971, a non-denominational sanctuary featuring fourteen of the artist's dark paintings opened in Houston.
A small building or room used for religious worship, prayer, or quiet contemplation. In 1971, a non-denominational sanctuary featuring fourteen of the artist's dark paintings opened in Houston.
Quiz
Which French-American art collecting couple commissioned Mark Rothko to design the paintings for the chapel in Houston?
Quiz
In what year did the non-denominational Rothko Chapel in Houston officially open to the public?
Quiz
Which prominent American architect originally designed the chapel but clashed with Rothko over its creative direction?
Quiz
What geometric shape was chosen for the Rothko Chapel to allow the paintings to completely surround the visitors?
Quiz
How many monumental paintings did Mark Rothko create specifically for the interior walls of the Rothko Chapel?
Quiz
What colors reveal themselves in the Rothko Chapel paintings once a visitor's eyes adjust to the dim light?
Quiz
What architectural feature did Mark Rothko insist on to allow the changing weather to alter his paintings' appearance?