Seated Man 

Mark Rothko's "Seated Man" is a drawing on paper, using graphite. The artist has employed traditional methods of hatching and shading to give form to the figure, a nude man sitting with his arms wrapped around his legs. Graphite pencils are relatively simple tools, though capable of great subtlety in the hands of a master. The smudging and blending evident here suggest Rothko’s interest in using the material to create soft, ambiguous forms, similar to the edges in his later color field paintings. It’s worth remembering, that even an artwork as apparently direct and spontaneous as this, bears the trace of many decisions. How hard to press the pencil to achieve different tones? Which areas to leave unworked, letting the paper itself stand for light? Ultimately, an artwork like this reminds us that every mark is a physical trace, a record of human effort, and a testament to the intimate connection between the artist and their chosen materials. It prompts us to consider the value of both art and craft, and the labor involved in their creation.