Two Standing Figures 

Mark Rothko made "Two Standing Figures" with watercolor, graphite, and paper, though the date is not known. This work introduces us to Rothko's early artistic explorations, before he became known for his large, abstract color field paintings. The painting depicts two figures standing in an urban setting. It seems to be a glimpse into the social fabric of Rothko’s time, possibly the 1930s or 40s in the United States, a period marked by social realism and a focus on everyday life. The urban environment suggests the changes and challenges brought about by industrialization and urbanization. Rothko, along with many artists of his generation, was influenced by the social and political climate of the Depression era. To understand the artwork better, resources like period photographs, social studies, and other artists' representations of urban life from the time could be useful. Art, after all, is contingent on its social context.