Overview: 7 black-on-black paintings created by Mark Rothko in 1964, together with 9 earlier paintings in which black was an important element, were shown in this exhibition that explored the works as predecessors to the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. Rothko Chapel, a musical composition composed in 1971 by Morton Feldman for the opening of the chapel, was played in the installation. The exhibition was drawn largely from the collection of the National Gallery of Art, with one work on loan from the collection of Robert and Jane Meyerhoff.

An 8-minute video produced by the National Gallery of Art was shown in the exhibition.

Organization: The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery of Art. Harry Cooper, curator of modern and contemporary art, was curator.

Sponsor: The exhibition was made possible by the Aaron I. Fleischman Foundation. The film was supported by the HRH Foundation.

Attendance: 150,940 (323 days)

Brochure: In the Tower: Mark Rothko, by Harry Cooper. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 2010.