Untitled [seated nude crossing her leg and holding her left foot] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn, associated with the Bay Area Figurative Movement, made this untitled drawing with ink on paper. His work reflects a mid-century American experience grappling with representation. Diebenkorn's choice of subject situates the work in a long art historical tradition of the female nude. However, rather than idealizing the female form, the sitter is rendered with an immediacy and simplicity that emphasizes the realness of the body. This work invites us to contemplate the power dynamics inherent in the act of looking and being looked at. Who is this woman? How does she feel about being observed? How does Diebenkorn negotiate between the representation and objectification? Although the piece is simple, it provides a glimpse into Diebenkorn’s process and the intimacy between artist and model. The vulnerability of the pose and the directness of the gaze, offer a moment of connection.