Untitled [seated nude covering the side of her face with her hand] 1955 - 1967

This ink on paper drawing by Richard Diebenkorn presents a seated nude figure, her face partially obscured by her hand. The gesture of covering the face has ancient roots, signifying shame, grief, or contemplation. Think of Eve in Masaccio's "Expulsion from Paradise," her face contorted in anguish, or the weeping figures in countless depictions of the Passion of Christ. This motif transcends epochs, appearing in various guises, yet consistently evokes a sense of profound emotional turmoil. Here, the woman’s hand both conceals and reveals, creating a tension that engages us. Is she ashamed, pained, or simply lost in thought? This ambiguity allows viewers to project their own emotions, tapping into a primal recognition of human vulnerability. It is a visual echo resonating through time, a testament to our shared emotional landscape.