Study of Seated Woman with Cubist Design 

Mark Rothko made this study of a seated woman with ink on paper, at an unknown date. The Cubist style, with its fragmented forms and multiple perspectives, was a revolutionary approach to representation in the early 20th century. We know that Rothko was working in the United States. Cubism, originating in Europe, was seen as a distinctly modern style that broke from academic traditions in European art schools, which still held sway in American art education. Artists used these new styles to represent the fractured nature of modern life, challenging traditional notions of beauty and representation. But they were also participating in new museum circuits, and shaping the art market itself. Understanding this work requires us to understand the broader cultural context in which it was created. Art historical research, including studying exhibition records and artists' writings, can shed light on the social and institutional forces that shaped Rothko's artistic development.