Untitled [standing nude with her hands crossed in front of her] [verso] 1955 - 1967

This is a black ink drawing on paper by Richard Diebenkorn. The standing nude figure with her hands crossed evokes a complex interplay of vulnerability and modesty. This gesture, resonant throughout art history, appears in depictions of Eve in the Garden of Eden, as well as classical statues of Venus, each time echoing themes of shame, concealment, and a loss of innocence. We see it again and again. This motif carries within it a spectrum of meanings. Consider how the Venus Pudica's pose, intended to project modesty, can also be interpreted as a form of self-awareness, almost an acknowledgment of the gaze. Diebenkorn strips away the layers, presenting a raw, unadorned figure. The crossed arms, therefore, might signify an unconscious attempt to shield herself. The act of covering, of drawing inward, speaks to a universal desire to protect one’s self, yet the unyielding gaze of the artist and viewer transforms this private act into a public display. The symbol progresses in a cyclical, non-linear fashion, each new iteration echoing past interpretations while simultaneously forging new meanings.