Untitled [woman covering her face with her hands] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a woman covering her face with her hands with graphite on paper. The act of obscuring the face has a long history in art, often indicating shame, grief, or a desire for privacy. Diebenkorn came of age as an artist in post-war America, an era marked by both prosperity and anxiety. Perhaps this drawing, with its stark lines and hidden face, reflects a sense of unease beneath the surface of American life. We might also consider the historical context of mid-century gender roles. Was Diebenkorn commenting on the pressures and expectations placed on women at the time? Was he exploring the theme of female identity through concealment? As an art historian, I'm interested in how the social and cultural context of the artist might have influenced the work. To better understand this drawing, I would research Diebenkorn's life, the art world of his time, and the broader social and political issues that may have resonated with him. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum, after all. It reflects the world in which it was created.