Seated Female Facing Right 

Mark Rothko created "Seated Female Facing Right" with graphite on paper. Rothko, born in Latvia and later an American citizen, came of age during a time of immense social upheaval. The early twentieth century was a period defined by shifting gender roles, class struggles, and the shadow of war. This drawing offers an intimate glimpse into Rothko’s engagement with figuration before his turn to abstraction. The seated woman evokes traditional portraiture, yet Rothko captures a pensive mood which deviates from conventional representations of women. We see her in quiet contemplation, perhaps reflecting the complexities of female identity. The expressive use of graphite lends an emotional depth, highlighting the sitter's introspective state. Rothko once said, "I'm interested only in expressing basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom." This drawing invites us to consider the interior lives of women, while it echoes the broader societal shifts of the time. The work prompts us to consider how personal emotions intersect with historical forces, while providing space for individual reflection and empathy.