Two Reclining Figures Near the Waterfront [recto] 

"Two Reclining Figures Near the Waterfront" is an early watercolor by Mark Rothko, depicting two nude figures lying on a beach, facing away from the viewer. The scene is rendered in muted tones of blue and green, with an abstract, gestural style that foreshadows his later work. The use of color and form reflects the artist's early exploration of expressionism and his interest in human form and the natural world. The painting lacks the large, rectangular blocks of color for which Rothko is famous but shows his skill at capturing a mood and creating an atmosphere. This piece, while dating from a period before Rothko's more well-known works, provides insight into the artist's development and his ongoing experimentation with form and expression.