Woman Seated with Legs Crossed, Reading 

Mark Rothko made this drawing of a woman reading, using graphite on paper. The visible qualities of the artwork are heavily influenced by its materiality, focusing on the inherent qualities of line, weight, and form. The quick, gestural strokes suggest a sense of immediacy, while the economy of means focuses on the essence of the subject rather than precise detail. The choice of graphite, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, perhaps speaks to the conditions of the artist's practice, or a deliberate focus on the essential elements of form and composition. Rothko’s background in figuration is crucial to his later, more abstract work. It shows an engagement with tradition, as well as an investigation of the expressive potential of simple materials. This approach challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, emphasizing the importance of making and context in understanding the artwork's full meaning.