Untitled [standing nude resting her head on her right hand] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this ‘Untitled’ drawing of a standing nude, resting her head on her right hand, using graphite on paper. Diebenkorn's touch is so evident in this piece, the process laid bare for us to see. It’s all about the mark-making, a symphony of delicate lines building up the form. You can see the push and pull, the way he almost scribbles in the shadows, especially around the figure's left side and the stool she stands on. The surface is alive with energy, not trying to hide the artist’s hand, but celebrating it. Look closely at the way he renders the right thigh, how the graphite is denser there and then fades away creating a sense of volume. It’s like he’s searching for the form, letting us in on the process, and that’s what makes it so intimate and engaging. It reminds me a bit of what Guston was doing, embracing the raw, imperfect line, but with a quieter, more contemplative feel.