Woman in a Rocking Chair Reading 

Mark Rothko made this drawing of a Woman in a Rocking Chair with ink on paper. The immediacy of the medium speaks to the power of simple materials and techniques. Rothko’s decision to use ink, which is a humble everyday material, allowed him to create a sense of spontaneity and intimacy. The textures, created by the ink as it interacts with the paper, gives the drawing an intimate feel, drawing us into the scene. The simplicity of the medium makes us think about labor and class; about how people spend their time and the objects that fill their lives. The drawing is both a functional tool for the artist and a work of art in its own right. Rothko’s willingness to embrace humble materials elevates the everyday and challenges traditional notions of fine art.