Reclining Nude 

This is "Reclining Nude," a drawing by Mark Rothko, made with brush and ink on paper. The immediacy of the drawing is striking. Rothko wasn't aiming for precise representation, but rather for a quick, visceral expression. Note the forceful application of ink. The brushstrokes are clearly visible, giving a sense of the artist's hand moving across the page. Rothko has engaged with the material in a dynamic way, exploiting the fluidity of the ink to define the form of the reclining nude. This approach connects to the broader context of abstract expressionism, where the act of creation was as important as the finished product. The gestural quality of the drawing, the way Rothko has used the ink to convey emotion and energy, invites us to consider the physical process behind its making. It challenges traditional notions of fine art, elevating the importance of the artist's labor and the expressive potential of simple materials.