Untitled [seated nude resting her hand on her right thigh] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a seated nude, resting her hand on her right thigh, with graphite on paper. The image presents us with a woman, her face absent, reduced to a series of lines that define her physical form. Consider the male gaze and its historical dominance in art. How does Diebenkorn’s drawing engage with or challenge this tradition? Is the anonymity of the subject a commentary on the objectification of women, or does it invite a more universal interpretation of the human form? Diebenkorn worked in a time of significant shifts in social attitudes towards gender and sexuality. How might this piece reflect these cultural changes? To understand this work further, we might consult feminist art criticism of the period, exploring its potential interpretations and its place within broader discussions of gender and representation. By considering the social and cultural context in which this drawing was created, we gain a deeper appreciation for its possible meanings and its impact as a work of art.