Untitled [side view of nude with her arms akimbo] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled charcoal drawing of a nude figure, of unknown date, on paper. Diebenkorn, who served as a marine in World War II, was part of a generation of artists reckoning with the trauma and anxieties of the mid-20th century. The drawing, spare as it is, reflects the artist's engagement with the human form. The woman stands with her arms akimbo, a pose that suggests both vulnerability and strength. The gaze is directed away from the viewer, which invites a contemplation on the act of looking, and the power dynamics inherent in the male gaze. The nude form in art has historically been a site of both celebration and objectification. Diebenkorn’s interpretation prompts us to consider how the representation of the female body is not just an artistic exercise, but also a cultural and political one. This drawing encourages us to reflect on the complex interplay between artist, model, and viewer.