Untitled [seated woman leaning left and crossing her legs] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a seated woman, using charcoal on paper. Diebenkorn, part of the Bay Area Figurative Movement, navigated the shifting landscapes of post-war American art. This movement offered a middle ground between pure abstraction and traditional representation. The model’s posture, with her legs crossed and arms self-embracing, evokes introspection. Her gaze is averted, perhaps suggesting a desire for privacy. The simple lines accentuate the figure's form, while also conveying a sense of vulnerability. The artist creates a space where the female subject is not merely observed but felt. How does Diebenkorn's drawing encourage you to reflect on the relationship between artist, model, and viewer? How does the artwork challenge conventional representations of women?