Woman Seated in Arm Chair 

This is a pencil drawing by Mark Rothko, titled "Woman Seated in Arm Chair". The drawing presents a figure composed of loosely defined lines and shading. Rothko’s choice of medium emphasizes the sketch-like quality, capturing the essence of the subject rather than precise details. The composition is dominated by the central form of the seated woman, whose pose suggests a state of repose. Rothko's drawing, while representational, already hints at his move towards abstraction. The emphasis is not on capturing a likeness but on conveying the emotional weight through form and composition. The figure, rendered with simplified shapes and minimal detail, prefigures the blocks of color that would come to define his later work. This piece serves as a critical juncture in understanding Rothko’s transition, revealing how he distilled human form into elemental shapes.