Untitled [side view of seated nude leaning back on her left arm] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this seated nude drawing with what looks like black ink on paper. Imagine him there, rapidly applying the ink with loose brushstrokes. The figure comes into being through bold, expressive gestures. It’s interesting to see how Diebenkorn used the fluidity of the ink to capture the weight and form of the body with such an economy of means. There’s a confidence in the application, and the brushstrokes dance across the page. Think about that leg, how the quick strokes create a sense of volume and shadow. You can feel the artist thinking and working through the form, the way he suggests the body's contours. This reminds me of other artists like Matisse, who also found ways of playing with line and form. Ultimately, it’s a reminder of how artists continue to learn from each other across generations.