“Just There”: The First Ever Dialogue Between Mark Rothko and Robert Ryman at Hauser & Wirth Zurich
From June 12 to September 13, 2025, the prestigious Hauser & Wirth gallery in Zurich hosted a landmark exhibition titled “Just There”, presenting a two-person show featuring the monumental works of Mark Rothko and fellow American abstract painter Robert Ryman. This event marked the first time that these two postwar American masters’ works were exhibited side by side in direct dialogue, offering fresh perspectives on their artistic interplay within the context of 20th-century abstract art.
A Unique Artistic Encounter
Curated by Dieter Schwarz, the exhibition showcased an essential and intense selection of paintings by Rothko, mainly from the 1950s and 1960s, alongside Ryman’s works stretching from the late 1950s through the 1990s. What makes this exhibition so significant is its unprecedented approach—eschewing thematic or chronological mediation, allowing the works to confront each other in a quiet, collected space that invites viewers to immerse themselves deeply in each painting’s individual presence.
Both Rothko and Ryman are recognized as mavericks of American postwar painting. They redefined how painting communicates through light, surface, and form. Rothko’s intense emotional color fields evoke deep psychological responses, while Ryman’s exploration of painting as a physical, material act emphasizes texture and light interaction. This exhibition reveals the unexpected affinities and divergences in their approaches, transforming the gallery into a contemplative space where painting itself becomes an experience.
For detailed perspectives and further reading about the exhibition and its curatorial approach, visit the official Hauser & Wirth “Just There” exhibition page.
Exploring Surface and Light: The Painterly Dialogue
Rothko’s signature technique involves layering translucent washes to create evanescent color fields that envelop the viewer emotionally. In contrast, Ryman’s oeuvre investigates the materiality of paint itself—often monochromatic whites—showing brushstrokes, textures, and varying thicknesses on surfaces ranging from canvas to metal and Plexiglas. Critics note how both artists achieve a "direct communication" between viewer and painting by exposing their process and rejecting narrative distractions.
Ryman himself acknowledged Rothko’s influence, emphasizing how Rothko’s paintings made visible the elements that preoccupied him: "the color, the form, the structure, the surface and the light—the nakedness of it, just there." This mutual exploration of painting's essence was a guiding principle for both, which this exhibition powerfully highlights. Art historian Matthew Holman discusses these insights in his review titled White noise and dark silence: Ryman meets Rothko.
The Venue: Hauser & Wirth’s Bahnhofstrasse Gallery
Situated in the heart of Zurich, Hauser & Wirth’s Bahnhofstrasse space provided an ideal setting for this intimate yet monumental show. The gallery is known for its dedication to presenting significant postwar and contemporary art exhibitions that blend historical insight with contemporary relevance.
Visitors praised the exhibition’s quiet atmosphere that allowed the intensity of Rothko and Ryman’s canvases to command full attention without distraction. As described in Daily Art Fair’s report, the exhibition gave art lovers the rare opportunity to witness firsthand the surface investigations and emotional depths that define these two artists’ oeuvres.
Public and Critical Response
The “Just There” exhibition has been hailed as a milestone in abstract art exhibitions. Critics have applauded its unique curatorial vision and the profound dialogue established between Rothko’s color fields and Ryman’s textural minimalism.
Art enthusiasts emphasized the exhibition’s role in deepening understanding of postwar American art’s complexity. One visitor shared on social media, “Seeing Rothko and Ryman together was a revelation; this show makes you rethink silence and noise in painting.”
Images and Further Exploration
Official images from the exhibition displaying works by Rothko and Ryman can be found on the Hauser & Wirth Instagram announcement as well as gallery exhibition previews on Zurich Art Weekend’s exhibition page, allowing global audiences to experience highlights of the show.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the significance of the “Just There” exhibition?
It is the first-ever two-person exhibition directly juxtaposing Mark Rothko and Robert Ryman’s works, highlighting their visual dialogue and shared explorations in American abstract painting.
Q2: When and where was the exhibition held?
From June 12 to September 13, 2025, at Hauser & Wirth’s Bahnhofstrasse gallery in Zurich, Switzerland.
Q3: Who curated the exhibition?
The show was curated by Dieter Schwarz, focusing explicitly on the artistic affinities and tensions between Rothko and Ryman.
Q4: What periods do the exhibited works cover?
Rothko’s paintings are primarily from the 1950s and 1960s, while Ryman’s works span the late 1950s through the 1990s.
Q5: Where can I view images or learn more about the exhibition?
Visit the Hauser & Wirth official exhibition page or the Daily Art Fair exhibition report.
Q6: How does this exhibition contribute to understanding American abstract art?
It provides a rare comparative view of two postwar masters, revealing their shared commitment to exploring painting as a direct, sensual experience centered on color, surface, and light.
The “Just There” exhibition at Hauser & Wirth Zurich provided an unprecedented opportunity to engage deeply with two iconic artists whose works symbolize different yet intersecting trajectories of abstract art. It remains a landmark event illustrating the continuing vitality and relevance of Rothko and Ryman’s legacies today.