Untitled [reclining nude resting on her left arm] [recto] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn sketched this reclining nude figure using graphite on paper. The pose—reclining with one arm supporting the body—harks back to classical antiquity, echoing the languid Venus of Urbino by Titian. This position has long symbolized beauty, fertility, and the idealized female form. The arm supporting the body, a simple gesture, reminds us of countless depictions across art history, from ancient Greek sculptures to Renaissance paintings. It is a timeless posture that conveys a sense of relaxed contemplation, but also vulnerability, an exposure of the self. The open, faceless depiction invites viewers to project their own emotions and experiences onto the figure. This image speaks to the cyclical nature of artistic expression, where symbols and gestures resurface, echoing through time, constantly evolving to reflect the collective subconscious.