Untitled [seated nude leaning firmly on her right arm] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled sketch of a seated nude, leaning firmly on her right arm, using graphite on paper. Though undated, its style suggests it was made during or shortly after his time at Stanford in the late 1940s. Diebenkorn’s work can be understood in relation to academic traditions of life drawing and the male gaze, yet this sketch subtly subverts those traditions. Instead of idealizing the nude, Diebenkorn focuses on the model's body and the way in which the pose reflects a lived experience. The figure's pose and the artist’s close attention to her musculature give a sense of human presence rarely found in traditional art. The rough line work suggests a certain degree of informality that runs counter to the high art of the time. To truly appreciate this work, one can delve into the history of Bay Area Figurative Movement, as well as mid-century art education. Through this research, we can see how Diebenkorn’s piece, reflects and challenges the artistic and social norms of its time.