In Untitled (Nude), Carrie Mae Weems confronts the viewer with layered questions about race, identity, gender and societal perception. Through the use of a nude figure, Weems explores themes of vulnerability and autonomy, particularly as they pertain to Black women’s bodies and the complex histories of representation and objectification. Known for her powerful and evocative use of photography, Weems employs this work to disrupt traditional narratives, challenging the viewer to consider whether the image is about beauty, empowerment or perhaps the exploitation and historical gaze cast upon Black bodies.

The title’s simplicity—Untitled (Nude)—invites viewers to engage with their own preconceptions about nudity and its role in art. By omitting a clear context, Weems shifts the responsibility onto the audience to interrogate their own assumptions and biases. Is the nude figure merely an object of beauty, or does it speak to larger questions of autonomy, power and historical gaze? This ambiguity fosters a dialogue that encourages viewers to navigate the space between their interpretations and the artist’s underlying intention, making the work a profound and reflective examination of identity and perception.