A painting inspired by the passing of a legend in abstract art
Smarkusz signed this painting with "mark", the middle part of his own signature in honor of Mark Rothko, an abstract expressionist Color Field painter who he greatly admired. Rothko was concerned with the existential topics of tragedy, ecstasy and doom. After seperating from his wife on New Years Day 1969, Mark moved into his studio, and in the late winter of 1970 he committed suicide with antidepressants and a razor.
One could easily imagine Vincent listening to the dramatic arias from Pagliacci as he prepared and painted his "Pagliacci Tragedy".
Pavarotti in Pagliacci:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0PMq4XGtZ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBW7qq8oPy4
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