Untitled [female nude crossing her legs and holding her ankle] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn captured this female nude in charcoal, a medium known for its expressive strokes and tonal depth. Observe how the pose echoes classical depictions of Venus, yet it is rendered with a distinctly modern sensibility. This gesture of holding the ankle can be traced back through art history, appearing in works from antiquity to the Renaissance. Think of it as a motif of self-containment. In classical contexts, it might symbolize modesty or vulnerability. Here, though, the strong lines and confident shading suggest a different interpretation, perhaps a sense of introspection or defiance. The interplay between light and shadow accentuates the emotional depth. It draws us into a dialogue with the figure’s psychological state, tapping into our collective understanding of the nude form as both idealized and intensely personal. Consider how this image resonates with timeless themes of beauty and the human condition. Its power lies in the cyclical way it reinterprets familiar symbols, inviting us to find new meaning in them.