Untitled [standing female nude bending forward] 1955 - 1967

Editor: Here we have Richard Diebenkorn's "Untitled [standing female nude bending forward]," created sometime between 1955 and 1967. It's a graphite drawing on paper, and what strikes me most is its tentative, almost searching quality. What do you see in this piece, especially given Diebenkorn's move towards abstraction later in his career? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? To me, this drawing feels like a whispered secret. It's as though we've stumbled upon Diebenkorn in a moment of intimate contemplation. The pose, that bend, it's not about idealised beauty but about the weight of a body, the pull of gravity. I feel a connection to Egon Schiele but where Schiele's figures are frequently confronting and sexualised, Diebenkorn's is introverted. This seems like a dance of observation rather than ownership. And doesn’t that hint of abstraction we see around the edges add a certain vulnerability? Editor: I do see that sense of vulnerability! The lines aren't assertive; they feel very fragile, like they could disappear at any moment. Was Diebenkorn experimenting with capturing movement, perhaps? Curator: I think so. The sketch feels immediate, raw, an exploration of form rather than a definitive statement. Perhaps this was a way for him to solidify a language for space and line that we see expressed more forcefully later in the Ocean Park series? The lines appear unfinished; a fleeting dance on the page…a reminder that even the most confident artists are constantly searching. Editor: That's a great connection to the Ocean Park series! I definitely have a new appreciation for his artistic process after looking closely at this. Thanks for sharing your insights. Curator: My pleasure! It’s wonderful when a sketch like this can reveal so much. It's a journey, and these intimate, fragile pieces can lead to whole new worlds.