Untitled [seated nude holding her right leg with both hands] 1955 - 1967

This is an untitled drawing of a seated nude figure made by Richard Diebenkorn. Diebenkorn, like many artists of his generation, grappled with representing the human form. He did so in a way that acknowledged both the history of the nude in art and the changing social norms around the body. The figure in this drawing is presented without idealization. Her pose, holding her leg, suggests a moment of introspection. The loose, gestural lines convey a sense of immediacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment. This approach moves away from traditional representations of women as passive objects. Instead, Diebenkorn presents a figure with agency and self-awareness. The raw, unrefined quality of the drawing invites viewers to engage with the figure's humanity on a personal level. We're left considering themes of identity, representation, and the gaze.