Untitled [seated model holding her right foot] 1955 - 1967

Editor: We're looking at "Untitled [seated model holding her right foot]", a pen and ink drawing by Richard Diebenkorn, made sometime between 1955 and 1967. I find the lines incredibly expressive and simple. What strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: I'm immediately drawn to the implied narratives of the image, considering how Diebenkorn’s work engaged with the shifting social attitudes toward the body during the mid-20th century. The relaxed pose, rendered with such stark lines, hints at both intimacy and a certain detached observation. Do you see how the lack of background focuses our attention solely on the figure? Editor: Yes, it's as if the figure is existing in a void, completely isolated. It's interesting how he chooses to portray her gaze downwards. Is that typical? Curator: The downward gaze directs our own. It creates a sense of introspection, inviting us to contemplate the sitter's thoughts and feelings. Consider also the broader cultural context of the time; the increasing representation of the female figure in art became a contested site of social and political expression. Editor: So the figure is not only existing in a physical space but a societal one? Curator: Exactly. The way artists choose to depict the human form—particularly the female form—became part of the ongoing dialogue surrounding identity, agency, and representation. In a museum context, this piece raises questions about spectatorship. Editor: That definitely gives me something to think about, how art engages and shapes culture! Curator: Precisely. Examining art in relation to social norms helps us decode hidden messages and consider multiple perspectives on a piece.