Untitled [seated nude resting her head upon her right hand] [recto] 1955 - 1967

Editor: We're looking at Richard Diebenkorn's "Untitled [seated nude resting her head upon her right hand] [recto]", an ink and pen drawing from between 1955 and 1967. There’s something so vulnerable and exposed in this simple line drawing. What's your interpretation of this work? Curator: The rawness, you're right, is arresting. Considering Diebenkorn's career, situated between abstract expressionism and figurative art, this piece offers a fascinating glimpse into the artist's struggle with representation. The seemingly casual lines betray a rigorous engagement with the female form and its representation within the established art world. How does it make you feel that this intimate work would now be viewed by the masses? Editor: It does give me pause. The idea that something so private is now public property… it's a bit strange. What purpose do you think Diebenkorn intended? Curator: It is highly probable this work was conceived as an internal experiment or as a form of visual note-taking in relation to form. The 'nude' has often represented beauty through an almost standardised artistic 'filter.' This subverts that in that the lack of embellishment and use of very basic form may even critique these historical artworks, what do you think? Editor: Interesting, I did think it felt very fresh. Maybe even rebellious because of the minimalist feel. Something so straightforward feels so modern and current. Curator: Exactly, and this demonstrates how the legacy of a work evolves in its cultural landscape. Now, within our 'Instagram' filtered reality of perfect poses, we see, via the simplicity, beauty and the honesty of the nude figure in its rawest most elemental state. The artwork's display in this modern era becomes, in effect, its own performance in terms of artistic narrative and social understanding. Editor: Wow, I'd never considered that before. Thank you so much! Curator: A pleasure!