October Artful Thursday: The Rothko Chapel: The Evolution of a Sanctuary for All

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents its October Artful Thursday program The Rothko Chapel: The Evolution of a Sanctuary for All.  Presented by Eric M. Wolf, head librarian, the Menil Collection.

In conjunction with Mark Rothko: A Retrospective, this program focuses on Mark Rothko (1903–1970) and the extraordinary Houston chapel that bears his name. Located on the campus of the Menil Collection, the Rothko Chapel is a unique site where art, spirituality, and human rights converge.

Tonight’s lecture traces the complicated evolution of the building, paintings, and institution that would become the Rothko Chapel, from its origins as part of Philip Johnson’s 1956 site plan for the University of St. Thomas, to the ecumenical meeting place that opened to the public in 1971.

About the Speaker
As head librarian of the Menil Collection since 2010, Eric Wolf has undertaken major research on John and Dominique de Menil’s history of patronage.

About Artful Thursdays
Artful Thursday is a monthly program related to the Museum’s art collections and exhibitions. At lectures and performances, the visual arts cross paths with other disciplines—dance, music, prose, poetry, fashion, film, science, psychology, and more. Each event is followed by a brief Q&A.

Pictured: Mark Rothko, Untitled, 1953, mixed media on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Washington, gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc. © 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel and Christopher Rothko. (detail above, full image below).