Untitled [seated woman resting chin on left hand] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn captured this seated woman in simple lines on paper. Her pose, with her chin resting on her hand, is an ancient symbol of thought, melancholy, and contemplation. This gesture echoes across time, from ancient Greek sculptures of philosophers to Renaissance depictions of saints in sorrow. Consider Michelangelo's figures of the Medici tombs, their pensive poses inviting contemplation. The weight of thought is not merely intellectual; it carries deep emotional resonance. The pose speaks to our shared human capacity for introspection and the weight of existence. It reminds us that even in our modern age, we are connected to centuries of thinkers and feelers. In Diebenkorn's drawing, this timeless gesture evokes a sense of quiet, emotional depth, engaging us on a level that transcends the immediate moment. This motif persists, evolving through time, reflecting our collective efforts to understand ourselves and our place in the world.