Head and Shoulders of a Woman with Short Hair 

This is Mark Rothko’s ink drawing, “Head and Shoulders of a Woman with Short Hair." Rothko, born in Latvia, was a Jewish immigrant to the United States. He often explored themes of identity and alienation in his work, reflecting his personal experiences. This drawing offers a glimpse into Rothko's representational work, before his signature abstract style. The woman's androgynous features and short hair challenge traditional gender norms. The stark lines and minimal detail convey a sense of vulnerability. Rothko once said, "I'm not interested in relationships of color or form or anything else. I'm interested only in expressing basic human emotions—tragedy, ecstasy, doom." Through this lens, the portrait becomes an exploration of human emotion. The drawing is not just a representation of a person, but a meditation on identity, emotion, and the human condition.