Untitled [seated nude extending her right arm] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn sketched this nude figure with charcoal, capturing a seated woman extending her arm. This gesture, reaching outwards, echoes countless depictions throughout art history. We see it in ancient Roman frescoes, where figures extend hands in acts of offering or supplication. Consider the Venus Pudica, where the goddess modestly covers herself. The gesture is rooted in classical antiquity, symbolizing modesty, but also revealing that which is being concealed. Diebenkorn's figure, by contrast, presents a complex blend of vulnerability and assertion. The act of extending an arm is also a deep psychological symbol of reaching out, connecting, or even defending. Subconsciously, it taps into our collective memory of human interaction and the desire for connection. The strong contrast between light and shadow further emphasizes the emotional weight of the figure. It's a recurring theme of human existence, resonating across epochs and cultures.