This week’s Fashion Inspired by Art is based on Mark Rothko’s White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose). Mark Rothko is one of America’s most famous postwar artists and this painting set the record for the current most expensive postwar piece of art. 

Below you’ll find three spring outfits inspired by this bright “multiform” painting. You’ll also learn more about Mark Rothko. Let’s get to it!

Table of Contents

Mark Rothko’s “Multiform” Paintings

Mark Rothko did not adhere to any one art movement, but is most well-known for his abstract expressionist “multiform” paintings. The term “multiform” was given to his work by critics and stuck because it is an accurate description. Rothko developed this style in 1946 and described it as containing human expression without adhering to myth and symbol.

Rothko’s “multiform” paintings all resemble White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose) above. They are blocks of color, separated horizontally. The fascinating thing about Rothko’s color blocks is that, despite their seeming simplicity, they actually pop away from the background with a surprising amount of depth. Additionally, his works’ nondescript names and vibrant color palettes let the viewer project a bit of themselves onto the painting.

Color Pop

Products: Choker, Sneakers, Jeans, Baseball Hat, Top

This first look is inspired by the bright, bold colors of the painting. One way to look at the painting is to perceive its energy — which this outfit has a lot of! Make a statement with solid-colored bold accessories. To let the colors shine, stick to a monochromatic white outfit that is still edgy without distracting from your statement pieces.

Human Emotion

Products: Nail Polish, Bralette, Sweatpants, Headphones, Nike Slides