Untitled [reclining female nude reflected in a mirror] 1955 - 1967

Editor: So, here we have Richard Diebenkorn's "Untitled [reclining female nude reflected in a mirror]," a drawing created between 1955 and 1967. It's a pretty spare rendering of a classic subject, almost like a sketch. It’s simple, but the way the lines create form is interesting. How do you see this piece in the context of art history? Curator: Well, putting this work into a broader context is insightful. Diebenkorn was working during a fascinating period, wasn’t he? The transition from Abstract Expressionism to representational art was really taking shape. There were big shifts occurring in American society and a re-examination of traditional artistic conventions, as well. Now, think about the subject – the female nude – and how its perception was changing at the time. How does this drawing either challenge or uphold societal expectations? Editor: That’s a good point. The woman seems very… unidealized. It doesn't seem to glorify the female body the way nudes from earlier periods might. Curator: Exactly! And the fragmented mirror image only furthers the idea that the traditional representation of beauty is broken. This drawing challenges viewers to look past societal constructs and see a body without those historical and cultural filters. How do you think the gallery system and artistic institutions influenced Diebenkorn’s decision to produce work like this? Editor: Maybe the burgeoning feminist art movement had something to do with it? Perhaps this approach to representing the female body was Diebenkorn's way of challenging traditional notions of beauty within these spaces? Curator: Precisely. I agree. It reflects the era’s social consciousness making its way into the art world. Considering Diebenkorn’s position as a respected artist, exhibiting these drawings certainly played a role in how the public engaged with the subject matter. It certainly made room for debate. Editor: It is definitely a thought-provoking way to view art. Thanks for sharing such a unique perspective. Curator: Absolutely! I am also walking away having learned something new today.