Untitled [seated female nude grasping her shin] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this ink on paper work, “Untitled [seated female nude grasping her shin]”. The female nude has a long and complex social history in Western art. From ancient goddesses to Renaissance ideals of beauty, the nude figure has been used to convey ideas about sexuality, morality, and the human form. In the 20th century, artists like Diebenkorn wrestled with this tradition, seeking new ways to represent the body and challenge conventional notions of beauty. Made during the postwar period in the United States, this work reflects a changing social landscape. The rapid growth of cities, the rise of consumer culture, and the increasing visibility of women in the workforce all contributed to a sense of cultural ferment. We might consider how the figure is presented: she is not idealized or eroticized, but rather depicted in a casual, almost offhand manner. This could be seen as a reflection of a more relaxed and informal attitude towards sexuality and the body in the postwar era. By consulting letters, exhibition reviews, and other period documents, the art historian can shed light on the complex social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.