Untitled [female nude bending over and holding right knee] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn rendered this untitled drawing of a female nude with ink on paper, sometime during his career. Diebenkorn came of age as an artist during the height of Abstract Expressionism, yet he transitioned to figuration at a time when this choice was seen as challenging the dominant artistic trends. This drawing offers an intimate glimpse into the artist's exploration of the human form. The woman bends over, obscuring her face, creating a sense of introspection. Diebenkorn's choice to depict a female nude invites a consideration of the male gaze. Is he perpetuating a history of objectification, or is there something more complex at play? Rather than presenting an idealized image, Diebenkorn's loose lines capture the body in a moment of vulnerability. It is the emotional honesty of this drawing that resonates, reminding us of the power of art to reflect our shared humanity.