Untitled [side view of female nude with right hand raised] 1955 - 1967

This nude figure, by Richard Diebenkorn, is made with ink on paper. Look at how Diebenkorn fearlessly lays down these loose strokes; you can almost feel the urgency of his hand. It’s all about the process, isn’t it? The ink, thick in some places and thin in others, gives her body weight and shadow. There’s a beautiful contrast between the dark, saturated marks and the bare paper, which isn't just background, but part of the drawing itself. There’s a line of blue, like a rogue brushstroke, near the figure's hip, that seems almost accidental, but adds a touch of depth. It’s these little surprises that keep the work alive. I'm reminded a bit of Matisse's line drawings, or maybe even some of de Kooning's more gestural works. It's about a visual conversation, an exchange of ideas that stretches across time. And, like all good art, it raises more questions than it answers.