#ThursdayThrowback #FromTheArchives William Scott and Mark Rothko in 1959 Scott was one of the first British artists to meet the American abstract expressionist Rothko when he visited him in 1953. They became close friends, and in 1959 Rothko stayed with Scott in Somerset. At the time, Rothko was becoming one of the generation's most successful painters. His visit emphasised the growing connection between British and North American artists which was reflected by the increasingly international nature of contemporary art production. In 1959, St Ives in Cornwall was becoming more widely recognised as an artists’ community. Artists there were exploring the many possibilities of abstract art, inspired by their experiences of the dramatic coastal landscape. During the summer of 1959, Rothko spent time in Cornwall with Terry Frost and Peter Lanyon. He also visited Newlyn Art Gallery in the company of Lanyon. Discover more about the history of modern artists working in and around St Ives during the last century in our displays drawn from the Tate Collection. ➡️Book online tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives Photo © James Scott. Courtesy of William Scott Foundation @scottart007 @williamscott_archive @newlynexchange #TateStIves #Tate #StIves #Cornwall #AbstractArt #ModernArt