Side View of Seated Nude Turned to the Left, Head Turned to Viewer 

Mark Rothko made this pencil drawing of a seated nude, head turned towards the viewer. Although Rothko is best known for his later abstract work, during the first part of his career in the 1930s and 40s in the United States, he explored figurative subjects. As well as nudes, he also created scenes of everyday life, such as subway platforms. These early works need to be understood in their social and cultural context. As a Jewish immigrant from Russia, Rothko was highly attuned to the injustices of American society, especially during the Depression. He was also part of a community of artists who looked to the political left for answers. His work during this time was an attempt to make art more accessible and socially relevant. To understand art, we have to look beyond the surface and consider the artist's social and political context. Researching the artist's life, reading their letters, and understanding the social conditions of their time helps us better understand what they were trying to say with their art.