Untitled [female nude resting on her right side] 1955 - 1967

This is an untitled drawing of a female nude, made with graphite on paper by Richard Diebenkorn. Although undated, the drawing likely comes from the mid-20th century, a period when the nude was a contested subject. Diebenkorn was an American artist who navigated between the dominant mid-century movements of Abstract Expressionism and figurative art. He had a long affiliation with institutions such as the California School of Fine Arts, and his works often demonstrate an engagement with the visual culture of the time. Here, the woman’s form is rendered with loose, tentative lines that stop short of idealization, which can be seen as a challenge to the entrenched art historical convention. Her gaze is slightly averted, as if to deny the viewer the pleasure of direct engagement. This approach reflects a broader cultural negotiation with the male gaze and evolving representations of women in art. To better understand this work, scholars may consult exhibition catalogs and critical reviews, as well as broader studies of post-war American art and cultural history. The meaning of art is always dependent on its social and institutional context.