#6 1978

Richard Diebenkorn made this etching, #6, sometime in the twentieth century. Look closely at this print: see how the delicate lines and the subtle variations in tone create a sense of depth and space. It’s as if we are looking at a room, or perhaps the bare bones of a memory. The surface has a tactile quality; you can almost feel the grain of the paper and the pressure of the etching needle. Diebenkorn’s marks feel incredibly intuitive: areas of fine, almost invisible hatching adjoin bolder, decisive lines to create areas of light and shadow, and a sense of a structure held in space. See how the lines intersect and overlap, creating a sense of tension and release. For me this work feels like an echo of Agnes Martin’s grids. Both artists invite us to slow down, to contemplate the beauty of simple forms and the power of suggestion. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always need to shout to be heard.