Nude Reclining to the Right, Arms beneath Head, Vertically Posed 

This is a pen and ink drawing of a nude woman by Mark Rothko, though we don't know exactly when it was made. While Rothko is best known for his large, abstract color field paintings, this early figurative work provides a glimpse into his artistic development and the social context in which he was working. In the US during the early to mid-20th century, academic art institutions often emphasized the study of the human form. Nude drawings were a common exercise, and while Rothko's later work moved away from figuration, these early studies reflect the artistic training of the time. The sketch-like quality suggests a focus on capturing the essence of the form rather than precise anatomical detail, hinting at Rothko's emerging interest in abstracting from reality. Understanding this drawing requires us to consider the institutional and artistic environment in which Rothko was trained and the societal expectations he both embraced and later challenged. Historical research into art education and the prevailing artistic styles of the period would shed further light on the significance of this early work.