Three Figures: Two Standing, One Seated 

Mark Rothko made this ink drawing, Three Figures: Two Standing, One Seated, at an unknown date. It’s a small sketch, likely a preliminary study. The image presents three undressed figures with a seated character at a table and two others standing, their hands behind their backs. Rothko created this work during the Great Depression in the United States, a period of immense social and economic upheaval. The figures’ vulnerability, almost a form of exposure, might reflect the widespread precarity and loss of dignity experienced during this time. The seated figure at the table could evoke themes of judgment or contemplation, reflecting the introspective mood of a nation grappling with uncertainty. Understanding this artwork requires considering the social context in which it was produced. Economic records, personal letters, and historical accounts of the Depression era can give a fuller understanding of the conditions that influenced Rothko’s work. Appreciating the art involves not only seeing but also researching.