Untitled [seated female figure] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn created this untitled drawing of a seated female figure. It is rendered with spare lines in what appears to be charcoal. The figure and the chair are composed of simplified outlines, evoking a long lineage of seated figures in art history. Think of ancient sculptures of seated dignitaries or the countless depictions of seated Madonnas throughout the Renaissance. This posture, which symbolizes authority and contemplation, reappears continuously. The absence of facial features intensifies the sense of introspection. This recalls ancient Roman portraiture practices where faces were intentionally left blank. This artistic choice invites viewers to project their own emotions onto the figure, tapping into a collective memory of human experiences. The emotional resonance of the image lies in this very openness, engaging our subconscious and forging a deep connection across time. Thus, the symbol of the seated figure continues its cyclical journey, resurfacing in new forms and contexts, constantly renewed by the currents of human experience.