Head of a Male, with Mustache and Glasses c. 1937

Mark Rothko made this drawing, Head of a Male, with Mustache and Glasses, using ink on paper. I love seeing how different artists use the same simple materials. Here, Rothko’s mark-making feels immediate and exploratory. He builds up the form of the head with confident, rapidly applied lines that seem to capture a likeness while remaining wonderfully abstract. Look at the way he renders the glasses, and the hair, so economical, but so descriptive. The ink sits on the surface, creating a contrast between the dark, solid lines and the blank paper. This reminds us of the physical act of drawing. The density of the hatching gives weight to the head, but the negative space keeps it light, preventing it from feeling overworked. To me, this drawing has something in common with the work of Picasso, who also was able to convey so much with just a few lines. It shows that art is a conversation across time, constantly influenced and inspired by those who came before. Ultimately, it’s not about perfection, but about the feeling and the energy captured in the moment.