Untitled [standing female nude with arms crossed] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled nude drawing, with graphite on paper. The first thing you notice is the economy of the lines. They're searching, tentative, almost like the artist is feeling his way around the form. It’s all about the process. Look at the area around the figure’s groin, see that dense little thicket of marks? It's like a concentrated burst of energy, a focal point in the composition. The rest of the figure is described with such simple lines, but there, it all sort of comes together. And that face, with its heavy lidded eyes and downturned mouth, it's like she's seen it all before. You know, this reminds me a little of Matisse's line drawings, that same kind of effortless grace, but with a bit more grit. It’s a beautiful example of how a few simple marks can convey so much.