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

Richard Diebenkorn sketched this untitled nude drawing with graphite on paper. Diebenkorn, working in a time of shifting social and cultural norms, engages with the traditional subject of the female nude. However, unlike idealized representations, his sketch captures a raw, intimate moment. The woman's posture, lying on her side with eyes closed, suggests a private reverie, a quiet moment of introspection. The lack of conventional aesthetic embellishments shifts the focus from objectification to an exploration of form and emotion. "I'm not an abstractionist completely," Diebenkorn once said, emphasizing his interest in capturing the essence of his subjects rather than pure abstraction. Diebenkorn invites us to consider the female form beyond societal expectations. He captures the emotional and psychological dimensions of the subject, reflecting the emerging narratives of female identity during his time.