Seated Woman, Hands Clasping Object in Lap 

This is a drawing of a seated woman with hands clasping an object in her lap, by Mark Rothko. The artwork is rendered with graphite on paper. The woman is shown in a relaxed pose, with the object in her lap drawing the viewer's immediate attention. The composition of the drawing is structured around a series of flowing lines that define the woman's form and the space she occupies. Rothko uses minimal shading to create depth, focusing instead on the interplay of lines to suggest volume and texture. The negative space around the figure is as important as the figure itself, creating a sense of openness and airiness. Rothko's choice of graphite as a medium adds to the drawing's intimate and personal quality. The soft, muted tones of the graphite create a sense of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to engage with the artwork on a deeper level. Rothko uses the semiotic system of signs to communicate ideas through the language of drawing. The marks on the page challenge the traditional notions of representation and form.