Three-quarters View of Gentleman in Overcoat and Hat, Looking Right 

This is a drawing by Mark Rothko, known for his later abstract paintings, and here we see a ‘Three-quarters View of Gentleman in Overcoat and Hat, Looking Right’. It’s rendered with ink on paper, emphasizing line and form over color. The composition is dominated by the figure, whose overcoat and hat suggest a certain formality, a nod to societal structure perhaps. The use of line is particularly striking. Rothko employs a sparse yet decisive approach, where each stroke defines shape and volume while also suggesting movement. Note how the lines create the impression of depth, especially in the folds of the coat and the brim of the hat. This emphasis on structure and form invites us to consider how Rothko uses minimal means to convey character and presence. Consider too, the semiotic function of the hat and overcoat. How do these elements act as signifiers of class and status? This early work provides a fascinating insight into Rothko's artistic development.