Untitled [female nude in stockings with right knee in chair] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn created this ink drawing of a female nude, sometime in the mid-20th century. This image is not just a study of form, but also a reflection of its time. Made in America during a period of shifting social norms, the drawing presents a figure that challenges traditional representations of women. Rather than an idealized form, we see a more intimate portrayal, emphasized by the stark contrast of ink on paper. Diebenkorn’s choice of subject and style can be viewed as a commentary on the traditional art institutions, pushing against conventional boundaries of the time. To fully appreciate this work, one might delve into the history of figure drawing, the biography of Diebenkorn, and the socio-political context of mid-century America. By examining these resources, we gain a deeper understanding of how the artist and the drawing itself, reflect and react to the cultural and institutional forces of their time.