Woman Sitting in Chair with Hands Clasped in Front 

This is a drawing of a woman sitting in a chair, created by Mark Rothko. The monochromatic artwork is made with ink on paper. The loose, gestural lines create a sense of immediacy and intimacy. The composition is divided, with the main figure seated prominently in the chair and a smaller, secondary sketch to the left, of a person with head down. Rothko uses line to define form, yet the figures are not fully enclosed, suggesting a sense of openness. This technique invites the viewer to actively complete the forms, engaging them in the act of perception. The contrast between the detailed rendering of the seated woman and the more abstracted sketch introduces a dynamic tension. This juxtaposition challenges fixed meanings, suggesting fluidity of identity. Ultimately, it is Rothko’s manipulation of line that makes the drawing more than a mere representation; it becomes an exploration of form.