Born in Buffalo, New York, Susan Rothenberg studied at Cornell University and the Corcoran School of Art before moving to New York City in the late 1960s. She achieved a major breakthrough in 1975 with her first solo exhibition at the 112 Greene Street gallery, where she introduced her signature horse paintings.

Her work is characterized by a raw, expressionistic application of paint and a focus on movement and anatomy. Beyond her iconic equine subjects, her practice evolved to include fragmented human figures, dancers, and landscapes, often rendered with a distinctively tactile, layered surface that emphasizes the physical act of painting.

Rothenberg maintained a significant presence in the contemporary art world throughout her career, with her monographs and artist books continuing to be featured in international exhibitions and institutional reading projects, such as the 2026 showcase at SUHEHAUS in Shanghai.