["White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose)"; Mark Rothko*, 1950]

Lonesomeness. Morandi, Cezanne, it's all about lonesomeness.
And Rothko. Especially Rothko.
Separation from what heals us
..............................beyond painting, beyond art.

Words and paint, black notes, white notes.
Music and landscape; music, landscape and sentences.
Gestures for which there is no balm, no intercession.

Two tone fields, horizon a line between abysses,
Generally white, always speechless.
Rothko could choose either one to disappear into. And did.

--from Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Charles Wright

* Rothko's paintings are always quickly brought into conversation when I find myself talking with someone skeptical about modern art. With some artists, I can understand where they're coming from, even if I don't agree, but if they can't find it in themselves to relate to Rothko.... the poor souls unfortunately don't know what they're missing (feeling?).