Seated Figure Reading 

"Seated Figure Reading" is a charcoal sketch on paper by Mark Rothko, a prominent figure in Abstract Expressionism. This drawing, executed in a loose and expressive style, depicts a figure seated in a chair, their face partially obscured and hands engaged in an activity possibly related to reading. The minimal detail and emphasis on form and gesture are characteristic of Rothko's earlier work, which explored themes of human presence and the psychological complexities of the individual. While his later career is better known for large-scale abstract paintings, this drawing offers insight into Rothko's early artistic development and his interest in capturing the essence of human experience through simplified forms.