Untitled [studies of a seated female nude] 1955 - 1967

Editor: We’re looking at Richard Diebenkorn’s “Untitled [studies of a seated female nude],” a pencil and ink drawing made between 1955 and 1967. There's something so raw and immediate about these quick sketches. How do you interpret this work in light of Diebenkorn’s broader practice? Curator: Well, placed against the backdrop of the mid-20th century, it becomes interesting. The public was used to either highly idealized nudes or completely abstract work. Diebenkorn offers a blend. How do these somewhat detached representations of the female form negotiate the male gaze so dominant at the time? Editor: That’s a fascinating point. I hadn’t considered how the *lack* of detail impacts the power dynamic. Curator: Precisely! The unfinished nature feels almost like a rebellion against the polished, often objectified, portrayals prevalent in both academic art and popular media. Could this also be seen as a commentary on the evolving role of women, even if subtle, during a period of significant social change? Think of the burgeoning feminist movements. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. Seeing it that way, the multiple studies almost emphasize a quest for understanding rather than simple objectification. Curator: Yes! The sketch-like quality suggests a fluid exploration, mirroring the shifts happening in society itself. It raises the question: How does the artist's studio become a space for negotiating and subtly challenging societal norms? Editor: I hadn’t considered the work as being so…political. I learned a lot! Curator: It’s these subtle gestures that embed so much socio-historical information. I enjoyed exploring this perspective.