Untitled [female nude leaning left] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled female nude drawing sometime in the 20th century using ink on paper. The first thing I notice is that each mark feels kind of exploratory, like he’s feeling around for the form. It makes me think about the process of drawing as a way of seeing. The lines are both confident and tentative, thick and thin, describing the contours of the figure with surprising economy. Look at the way the ink pools in certain spots, creating these dark accents that draw your eye. It’s kind of like he’s using the ink to sculpt the figure, creating a sense of depth and volume with just a few strokes. Diebenkorn’s line work is so reminiscent of Matisse, but with a distinctly American sensibility. You can see it in the way he simplifies the figure, focusing on the essential forms and gestures. It’s a drawing that invites you to slow down and really look, to appreciate the beauty of line and the power of suggestion.