Untitled [side view of a woman seated in a folding chair] 1955 - 1967

This ink drawing of a seated woman on paper is by Richard Diebenkorn. The woman's profile, with her hands resting upon the chair's back, evokes a sense of introspection. Consider the motif of the seated figure, an archetype that stretches back through millennia. Think of ancient Egyptian depictions of seated scribes, poised and attentive, or classical sculptures of contemplative philosophers. This posture has long been associated with knowledge, reflection, and authority. The simple folding chair, however, introduces a modern twist. A chair, like a throne, signifies status. The woman's posture suggests both authority and vulnerability. The act of sitting itself can be seen as a pause—a moment of stillness that emphasizes the weight of thought. Perhaps Diebenkorn captures not only the likeness of a woman, but also the silent power of reflection, a force that transcends time.