Rothko Chapel
historic place
The Rothko Chapel is a historic place located in Harris County, Houston, Texas. It was conceived by philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil. In 1964, they commissioned artist Mark Rothko to create a meditative space filled with his paintings. Rothko was deeply involved in the chapel's design, collaborating with architects Philip Johnson, and later, Howard Barnstone and Eugene Aubry. The chapel was built between May and October 1970. Tragically, Mark Rothko died in February 1970 and never saw the chapel completed. It opened to the public in February 1971. The Rothko Chapel serves as a non-denominational sanctuary and an ecumenical center, fostering interfaith dialogue and advocating for human rights. Outside, Barnett Newman's sculpture, "Broken Obelisk," was installed in 1970 and dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Rothko Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 16, 2000. It remains a significant site for art, spirituality, and social justice.