Untitled [seated woman with crossed legs] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn created this untitled drawing of a seated woman, with charcoal on paper. Diebenkorn, a white male artist working in the mid-20th century, often focused on form and composition. This drawing is deeply rooted in the tradition of the female nude, a prevalent subject throughout art history that has often objectified women. However, here, the woman is clothed, and the loose lines and shading invite us to consider the figure’s internal state. The woman’s gaze directs our attention beyond the frame, as if she's caught in thought. Her posture, with legs crossed and arms resting, exudes a sense of relaxation, but also introspection. Diebenkorn captures the figure's complexity; she's neither overtly sexualized nor entirely removed from her sensuality. This work acknowledges the tradition of the female nude, while subtly pushing against its conventions. It invites viewers to consider the figure’s humanity and subjectivity.