Untitled [seated nude with her hand on her forehead] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn created this untitled sketch of a seated nude with graphite on paper. Diebenkorn’s work is often associated with the Bay Area Figurative Movement, which sought to reconcile abstract expressionism with representational forms. The model’s posture, with her hand on her forehead, suggests a moment of introspection or weariness. During the mid-20th century, when this drawing was likely made, female nudes by male artists often presented a passive or idealized version of women. Here, however, the woman is not overtly sexualized; instead, there is an emphasis on the human condition. Diebenkorn once said, "I'm not an abstract expressionist. I'm not an expressionist at all." This statement underscores his commitment to exploring the emotional and psychological depths of his subjects through a delicate balance between abstraction and figuration. Consider how Diebenkorn navigates the space between objective representation and subjective experience. The woman's contemplative pose invites us to reflect on themes of identity, vulnerability, and the complex ways we perceive ourselves and others.