Woman Seated with Jacket Worn over Shoulders 

Mark Rothko created this pen on paper sketch, *Woman Seated with Jacket Worn over Shoulders*, at an unknown date. This work provides insight into Rothko's artistic development, revealing the social context that shaped his vision. Although Rothko is best known for his abstract paintings, this early figurative work reflects his engagement with the human figure and his interest in representing modern life. The sitter is wearing a jacket draped casually over her shoulders in an intimate setting that suggests an awareness of fashion and contemporary social mores. The looseness of the line is also noteworthy, representing a break with traditional academic drawing. To fully appreciate Rothko's art, we have to understand the cultural and intellectual milieu in which he worked. By exploring period publications, exhibition catalogues, and critical writings, we can better understand the meaning and significance of his work within its original social and institutional context. Rothko was not working in a vacuum, and his art reflects a desire to challenge and critique the established norms of the art world.