Untitled [reclining nude in stockings resting on her right arm] [verso] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a reclining nude in stockings with graphite on paper. Diebenkorn developed this image in a time when American society was undergoing significant shifts in its understanding of gender and sexuality. Diebenkorn's choice to depict the figure in stockings brings forward ideas around women's sexuality at the time. The woman is confidently reclining, commanding her own space, while the sketchy lines add to the image a sense of voyeurism, typical of male representations of women in art. This highlights the tension between objectification and empowerment. How does the artist navigate the existing power dynamics and societal norms of his time, and what does this reveal about the evolving perceptions of women in art and society? This drawing invites us to consider the complex interplay between personal expression and social commentary, and prompts reflection on the continuing dialogue around gender, sexuality, and representation.