Woman Playing the Piano 

Mark Rothko made this drawing, “Woman Playing the Piano,” with ink on paper. It’s a great example of the way that a work’s material can influence its appearance. Rothko's use of ink, applied in thick, gestural strokes, gives the drawing a sense of immediacy and movement. The ink’s inherent qualities of fluidity and saturation allow Rothko to create a range of tones, from deep blacks to light grays, adding depth and dimension to the composition. The texture of the paper also plays a role, with its subtle variations and imperfections adding to the overall tactile quality of the drawing. The processes of drawing and mark-making, traditionally associated with both fine art and craft traditions, imbue the work with social and cultural significance. Rothko's expressive handling of the material challenges traditional distinctions between high art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the materiality and making of the work as integral to its meaning.