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The Rothko Chapel is a chapel in Houston, Texas, founded by John and Dominique de Menil. The interior serves not only as a chapel, but also serves as the display framework for a major work of modern art: on its walls are fourteen paintings by Mark Rothko in varying hues of black. The shape of the building—an octagon inscribed in a cross—and the design of the chapel were largely influenced by the artist. The chapel sits southwest of downtown in the Montrose neighborhood, situated between the building housing the Menil Collection and the Chapel of Saint Basil on the campus of the University of Saint Thomas. About 110,000 people visit the chapel each year.
Susan J. Barnes states "The Rothko Chapel ... became the world's first broadly ecumenical center, a holy place open to all religions and belonging to none. It became a center for international cultural, religious, and philosophical exchanges, for colloquia and performances. And it became a place of private prayer for individuals of all faiths". Quote on p. 108, reprinted in the NRHP Nomination form.
On September 16, 2000, the Rothko Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
From 1973 onward, the Rothko Chapel doubled as a center for colloquiums aimed at fostering mutual understanding on issues affecting justice and freedom throughout the world. The first colloquium drew scholars from Lebanon, Iran, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Japan, Italy, the United States and Canada.John Russell (January 1, 1998), Dominique de Menil, 89, Dies; Collector and Philanthropist New York Times. In 1981, it initiated “The Rothko Chapel Awards to Commitment to Truth and Freedom." In 1986, a second award was established to honor and emulate the spirit of Óscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, who was murdered on March 24, 1980. These Rothko Chapel Awards have recognized individuals and organizations who, at great risk, denounce violations of human rights. In 1991 the Rothko Chapel marked its 20th anniversary with a joint award with the Carter-Menil Human Rights Foundation, founded in 1986 with former President Jimmy Carter. Nelson Mandela was the keynote speaker and received the special Rothko Chapel award.
In early 1999, the Rothko Chapel closed for a major renovation. The paintings had been exhibiting premature signs of age, and the largest could not be removed for treatment. In 2000, the chapel reopened after an 18-month, $1.8million renovation, with the artist's paintings newly restored.Shaila K. Dewan (June 15, 2000), Restoring Rothko's Chapel and His Vision New York Times.
In May 2018, museum staff discovered the Chapel had been vandalized. White paint was spilled near the Chapel's entrance and in the reflecting pool surrounding the Broken Obelisk sculpture. Handbills had been strewn around the grounds and pool that read "It's okay to be white", an alt-right slogan.
For its fiftieth anniversary in 2021, the Rothko Chapel underwent $30million in restoration to hew nearer the original plan. The 2019-2021 work removed the baffled skylight in favor of a new louvered skylight designed by George Sexton Associates; re-landscaped nearby lawns and fencing; removed glass doors; and added a new visitor'
Critics of the Rothko Chapel Say It’s Too Somber—Will a Pricey Restoration and Skylight Change That? Texas Monthly.
In July 2024, the Rothko Chapel suffered extensive damage from stormwater during Hurricane Beryl. Three of Rothko's murals were damaged, along with the chapel's ceiling and walls. The chapel was closed in August 2024 for renovations and restoration. The building reopened in December 2024 after reparative work was completed.
As renovated in 2020 by Architecture Research Office and George Sexton Associates, the louvered skylight diffuser consists of 280 reflective aluminum blades that are individually angled and spaced to ensure an even distribution of light onto the paintings along the perimeter walls.
The de Menils offered Rothko a commission for the chapel in 1964. From the fall of 1964 through the spring of 1967, he painted the fourteen large paintings and four alternates, which incorporated many of the characteristics of the earlier 1964 black paintings. In the Tower: Mark Rothko , exhibition catalog, National Gallery of Art, Washington, February 21, 2010–January 2, 2011. Accessed March 2, 2011.
In 2019, Solange Knowles filmed scenes for the visual album When I Get Home in the chapel. Dessa's 2023 album Bury the Lede includes a song called "Rothko", which is set in the chapel and references the paintings.
The Rothko Chapel also hosts the biannual Óscar Romero Award to recognize "courageous, grassroots, human rights advocacy." Past awardees include Bishop Proaño, Cardinal Arns, the Oslobodjenje, Sr. Dianna Ortiz, Salima Ghezali, and Berta Cáceres.
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