Untitled [reclining male nude] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn created this untitled ink wash drawing of a reclining male nude. While undated, this work comes from a period when Diebenkorn was developing a more figurative style after his time serving in the military during World War II. Consider the historical context: After the war, artists grappled with representing the human form and experience. Diebenkorn, like many artists, turned to the figure as a way to explore themes of vulnerability, identity, and the body’s relationship to space. The male nude, traditionally a symbol of classical ideals, is rendered here with a raw, almost vulnerable quality. The loose, gestural brushstrokes create a sense of immediacy, but also of emotional distance. The figure is presented without idealization, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of masculinity and representation. The composition rejects conventional heroic depictions in favor of a more intimate and introspective portrayal of the male form.