Mark Rothko's artistic journey was influenced by several factors, including his Eastern European Jewish heritage and his response to the tumultuous events of the 20th century, such as the Holocaust and World War II. His early exposure to expressionist art and literature shaped his deep interest in color and emotion. Rothko sought to evoke profound spiritual experiences through his large-scale color fields, emphasizing the significance of abstract expressionism. He believed that art should invoke deep introspection and connection, becoming a powerful medium for conveying the complexities of the human condition. His works resonate with themes of existentialism and universality.