Untitled [seated nude with crossed legs resting her arm on her knee] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a seated nude figure with graphite on paper. It is a study that offers an insight into the culture of art education in post-war America. Diebenkorn's approach to the nude is rooted in the academic tradition, where life drawing was a cornerstone of artistic training. However, the loose lines and simplified form also place it within a more modern context. We see an exploration of form and a departure from strict representation. In mid-century art schools and ateliers, drawing from life was a way to build fundamental skills, but also a space to negotiate the traditions of the past with the rapidly changing present. The act of drawing itself becomes a commentary on the nature of art education and the artist's place within it. To understand this work more fully, we might explore the curricula of art schools during Diebenkorn's time. We might look at his other drawings and paintings to trace how he developed his ideas about line, form, and the human figure. Art is always rooted in a specific time and place.