Rothko's Daughter to Discuss the Artist in Millburn

The vibrant colors, rich hues and simple lines make Mark Rothko's work among  the most recognizable in modern art.

The Millburn Art Advisory Committee, the Millburn Library and the Brooklyn College Alumni Association will host a talk by Rothko’s daughter, Kate Rothko Prizel, who will discuss her father’s work and his life.

Kate Rothko Prizel makes only occasional appearances -- the most recent being a talk about her father's work last year in Israel, said Abbie Gorin, a librarian at the Millburn Library. So the library and the committes are particularly pleased to bring her to Millburn.

"Kate will try to give us some insight as well into her father’s creative process," Gorin said. "This process was most recently explored in the show Red where, in different productions, the actors Alfred Molina and Jack Klugman played Rothko."

Kate Rothko was only 19 years old in 1970 when her father, who suffered from depression, committed suicide in his Manhattan studio, and found herself suing the executors of her father’s estate for selling his paintings for far less than they were worth, along with the Marlborough Gallery that had bought them.

In 1977, when Kate and her brother Chris finally won, People magazine said the six-year “battle over the multimillion-dollar Rothko estate unearthed one of the New York art world's most spectacular scandals.”

Gorin said Prizel will touch on those days as well in her talk.

Along with Gorin and Prof. Marie Coletti, the chair of Brooklyn College's media arts department, Laraine Barach, chairwoman of the Millburn-Short Hills Art Advisory Committee, will help introduce Prizel.

“Mark Rothko’s paintings are breathtaking,” Barach said. ”There is no doubt color is a treasure of earthly experience. Mark Rothko embodies this tenet in every one of his paintings. His social and intellectual influence we feel everyday from other artists who have experienced his work or benefit from his groundbreaking career.

“New generations of artists continue to promote and relish the power of color, yet it is the spiritual experience from genuine Rothko genius that should be seen, felt and discussed,” she said. “This is one way to remind and organize new interest in Mark Rothko’s paintings. We hope people will be encouraged to visit his monumental work for the first time or re-visit for inspiration."

Prizel's talk begins at 7 p.m. at the Millburn Library, but Gorin suggests calling ahead to reserve a seat, as space is limited and the room is filling up fast. To get a seat, call Leighan Cazier at (973) 376-1006, Ext. 114.