Large Standing Female Nude Turned to the Left, Hand on Hip 

This drawing, made by Mark Rothko, is of a standing female nude using graphite on paper. The use of graphite allows for subtle gradations of tone, creating a sense of volume and depth in the figure. You can see how Rothko’s technique gives weight and presence to the standing woman, through a network of quick marks. The way the graphite is applied, with visible strokes and smudging, adds a tactile quality to the image. This contrasts starkly with Rothko's later, more famous work – the large abstract canvases. Though it appears simple, the sketch engages with a long history of life drawing, a tradition rooted in academic training and the study of the human form. Yet the unidealized portrayal of the figure can also be seen as a subtle gesture of social commentary, especially in the context of early 20th-century art. This work reminds us that even the simplest materials, when wielded with skill and sensitivity, can convey powerful ideas and emotions, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.