Untitled [female nude with arms akimbo and left leg raised] [verso] 1959

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a female nude with graphite on paper. The sketch is undated, but it is likely from some point in the mid-20th century. Diebenkorn, like many male artists of his generation, often depicted women. But here, the woman’s pose is not traditionally demure or passive. Her arms are akimbo, and one leg is raised, suggesting a sense of confidence and defiance. The rough, unfinished quality of the drawing adds to this impression, as if the artist were more interested in capturing the woman’s attitude than in creating a polished, idealized image. How does this representation challenge traditional portrayals of women in art, and what does it tell us about Diebenkorn's perspective on gender and identity? What can this drawing communicate to us about the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation, and how artists can choose to either reinforce or subvert those dynamics?