Berlin Exhibitions Pair Rothko with Giotto and Reassess 1970s Photorealism
In early 2009, Berlin hosted two exhibitions that presented differing perspectives on art history. The Gemäldegalerie Staatliche Museen zu Berlin featured 'Rothko/Giotto' from February 6 to May 3, which paired Mark Rothko's 1958 piece 'No. 5 (Reds)' with Giotto's works, 'Crucifixion' and 'Death of the Virgin Mary.' This exhibition underscored Rothko's respect for Giotto's approach to space and tragedy, as mentioned in his 1940 writings. Simultaneously, the Deutsche Guggenheim displayed 'Picturing America: Photorealism in the 1970s' from March 7 to May 10, showcasing artists such as Chuck Close and Malcolm Morley. However, it received backlash for its cramped layout and Morley's presentation, while photorealism remained largely outside the postmodern narrative.
Key facts
- The Gemäldegalerie Staatliche Museen zu Berlin exhibited 'Rothko/Giotto' from February 6 to May 3, 2009.
- The exhibition featured Mark Rothko's 'No. 5 (Reds)' alongside Giotto's 'Crucifixion' and 'Death of the Virgin Mary'.
- Rothko admired Giotto's ability to create pictorial space without perspective and convey tragedy.
- The exhibition catalogue included nine essays on Rothko's spirituality and Giotto's iconography.
- 'Picturing America: Photorealism in the 1970s' was shown at the Deutsche Guggenheim in Berlin from March 7 to May 10, 2009.
- The photorealism exhibition included works by artists such as Chuck Close, Richard Estes, and Malcolm Morley.
- Malcolm Morley's 'Open Golf Championship (National Open)' (1968) was highlighted as a masterpiece.
- Photorealism has not been fully integrated into the postmodern canon, possibly due to its lack of political critique.
Entities
Artists
- Mark Rothko
- Giotto
- Fra Angelica
- Chuck Close
- Richard Estes
- Robert Bechtle
- Tom Blackwell
- Charles Bell
- Robert Cottingham
- Don Eddy
- Audrey Flack
- Ralph Goings
- Ron Kleemann
- Richard McLean
- John Salt
- Ben Schonzeit
- Malcolm Morley
- Adolf Menzel
- Jeff Wall
- Constantin Guys
Institutions
- Gemäldegalerie Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
- Deutsche Guggenheim
- National Gallery in Berlin
- Frick
- Documenta
- Solomon R Guggenheim Museum
- Altes Museum
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- London
- Manhattan
- Florence
- San Marco