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Abstract art 'hung wrong way round' by Tate

Two abstract paintings may have been hung the wrong way round by curators at the Tate Modern in London. The paintings by Mark Rothko, from the Black on Maroon series, have been hung vertically with bold stripes running from top to bottom.

However, Rothko is thought to have wanted the works - which he donated to the Tate - to be hung with the stripes running horizontally and the location of his signature on the back of the paintings is believed to reflect this wish.

Richard Dormant, art critic for the Daily Telegraph, said hanging paintings according to the indication of the artist’s signature was “elementary”.

“If this is not a blunder then it is a very extreme way of presenting his work,” he said.

Despite the artist’s signature, the correct way to display the works have never been agreed because there are no photographs available to indicate for certain how Rothko wished the works to be hung.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .