Standing Female Nude Seen from Behind in Three-Quarters View, Left Hand at Chin 

Mark Rothko made this pen and ink drawing of a standing female nude, sometime during his early career. At first glance, it may seem surprising that Rothko, known for his abstract expressionist paintings, engaged with the traditional genre of the nude. But in the 1930s and 40s, Rothko explored figurative work, influenced by expressionism and surrealism. This drawing reflects the artistic milieu of New York at the time, where artists grappled with the legacy of European modernism and the social realities of the Depression era. The figure's pose, with her hand at her chin, evokes introspection and perhaps a sense of unease, mirroring the psychological depth that would later characterize Rothko's abstract works. To understand Rothko's artistic development, we can look at exhibition catalogues, artists' manifestos, and critical writings, which all contribute to a richer understanding of the artist’s influences. The study of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.