Nude Man and Woman 

Mark Rothko made this drawing of a nude man and woman using graphite on paper. Although undated, its style suggests it belongs to Rothko's early period, before his signature abstract style. The drawing shows a simplified, almost classical, depiction of the human form. During the 1930s, in the USA, Rothko was involved in movements that sought to create a socially relevant art, this drawing can be seen in the context of the debates around social realism and its place in American art during the Depression era. But he seems to be questioning the need to represent figures realistically. Instead, he emphasizes the underlying structure and emotional essence, which is progressive for its time. To understand such work better, we need to look into the cultural and political ideologies that framed Rothko’s artistic choices. By examining the social context, we can appreciate how art reflects and responds to the issues of its time. Art is contingent on social and institutional context.