Untitled [seated nude with her head resting in her right arm] 1955 - 1967

Editor: This is an untitled pencil drawing by Richard Diebenkorn, created sometime between 1955 and 1967. It depicts a seated nude, and there's almost a sense of melancholy about it. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, considering the timeframe, we must see this work in light of shifts in attitudes regarding the figure and particularly the female nude. The mid-20th century was a moment where artists grappled with representing the body after the world wars. This drawing is devoid of overt sensuality; the woman's pose, with her head resting in her arm, communicates exhaustion or contemplation. I would argue this shows us how societal expectations were impacting how people looked at art. How do you think this work might differ if it were made earlier, say, during the height of academic painting? Editor: That’s a fascinating point. Earlier, the nude may have been idealized, placed in a mythological or allegorical context. This feels much more personal, even vulnerable. Do you think the fact that this work is a drawing affects its reception compared to if it were a painting? Curator: Absolutely. Drawings often carry a sense of immediacy, of the artist’s hand and process. This informality aligns with a changing cultural landscape, challenging conventions around both artistic representation and the female form. Does it remind you of anything in the artist's body of work, or the period that the drawing has been done? Editor: Thinking about it now, this looks similar to a few nudes he's done between the 50's and the 60's. It is helping me contextualise it a bit better, thanks! Curator: Indeed. Placing artwork within the body of an artist and social and cultural context is what helps elevate artwork beyond just its pure esthetics, but as objects with an important history. Editor: Exactly. It really helps me see it in a different light, almost like understanding a hidden layer to it. Thanks.