From June 12 to September 13, 2025, the renowned Hauser & Wirth gallery in Zurich showcased a landmark two-person exhibition entitled “Just There”, bringing together two towering figures of 20th-century American abstract painting: Mark Rothko (1903–1970) and Robert Ryman (1930–2019). Curated by Dieter Schwarz, this exhibition marked the first occasion that works by Rothko and Ryman have been displayed together, creating a rare conversational space between their distinct but complementary artistic languages.
Artistic Synergies Across Generations
Mark Rothko is famed for his luminous, emotionally charged color field paintings primarily from the 1950s and 60s, characterized by soft-edged rectangular blocks of color that seemingly float within intimate canvases. Robert Ryman, active from the late 1950s through the 1990s, developed a rigorous exploration of white-on-white paintings, focusing on the tactile qualities of paint surface, brushwork, and light reflection.
The "Just There" exhibition brings together exemplary works from these eras, inviting viewers to explore the parallel yet divergent explorations of abstraction pursued by the two artists. The gallery carefully moderated light and space throughout its rooms, heightening the sensory engagement with the paintings—a shared concern central to both Rothko’s and Ryman’s practices Hauser & Wirth Exhibition.
Curatorial Vision
Dieter Schwarz has framed the exhibition as a “silent dialogue,” emphasizing how Rothko and Ryman distill painting to its core: “the simple expression of complex thought.” The show eschews overt thematic or chronological segmentation, treating the artists less as a narrative sequence and more as interlocutors conversing through spatial, material, and emotional vocabulary.
Visitors experience Rothko’s spiritual and immersive color fields juxtaposed with Ryman’s painstaking investigation into painting’s materiality, surface, and edge. This juxtaposition affords viewers a fresh lens through which to reconsider post-war American abstraction.
Exhibition Highlights
Key works included Rothko’s No. 14 (1963), epitomizing his glowing color block style, alongside Ryman’s Untitled (1959), notable for its subtle surface variations and play with light and texture.
The lighting design was meticulously calibrated to reveal the nuances of each painting’s surface and translucency, echoing Rothko’s famous comment about the transformative power of light. This environmental sensitivity invited viewers into a contemplative encounter with the artworks, underscoring presence and absence in abstraction.
Reception and Legacy
Critics have lauded “Just There” for its pioneering pairing and ability to deepen understanding of two of abstract painting’s seminal figures. The exhibition has re-energized interest in the layered, phenomenological experience of color field and monochromatic painting.
For further study of Rothko’s impact, the Rothko Museum in Latvia offers extensive collections and programming commemorating his life and work. Market experts track his ongoing valuation and sales success, notable in recent auction results featured on platforms such as Christie’s May 2025 New York auction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the concept behind the “Just There” exhibition?
A1: It showcases a first-time pairing of Mark Rothko and Robert Ryman’s paintings, exploring their minimalist and abstract sensibilities in a shared visual dialogue.
Q2: Who curated the exhibition?
A2: The exhibition was curated by Dieter Schwarz, focusing on the material and conceptual connections between Rothko and Ryman.
Q3: What are the main artworks presented?
A3: Rothko’s colorful, emotional works from the 1950s–60s and Ryman’s monochromatic, textured white paintings from the late 1950s to the 1990s.
Q4: How do Rothko’s and Ryman’s approaches relate?
A4: Both artists explore painting as a physical phenomenon, with an emphasis on color, light, texture, and the perception of presence.
Q5: Where else can I learn about Rothko’s legacy?
A5: The Rothko Museum in Latvia (Rothko Museum website) and auction houses like Christie’s (Christie’s auction highlights) offer rich insights.
Q6: Is “Just There” still touring or available to view?
A6: The exhibition concluded in September 2025, though Hauser & Wirth continues to host major exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
The “Just There” exhibition offered a remarkable chance to witness two monumental abstract painters in conversation, illuminating the rich textures and emotional depths of mid-20th-century American abstraction within Zurich’s dynamic art scene.