Bust of Woman with Hat, Face in Profile to Right 

Mark Rothko sketched "Bust of Woman with Hat, Face in Profile to Right" in ink on paper at an unknown date. The image's stark simplicity invites us to consider its role in the artist's broader development. It's likely this work came before Rothko's signature abstract expressionist paintings. This was a period when many artists in the United States were grappling with the legacy of European modernism. Institutions like the Museum of Modern Art were just beginning to champion abstract art, while the art market was still largely focused on more traditional styles. Rothko, like many of his contemporaries, was searching for a new visual language to express the complexities of the modern human condition. The image appears to comment on societal notions of beauty and representation, perhaps critiquing the traditional portraiture that was popular at the time. To fully appreciate this sketch, we need to explore the artistic climate of the early to mid-20th century. Historical archives, artist biographies, and exhibition catalogues can help us understand the environment in which Rothko was working and the choices he made in his artistic journey.