Untitled [seated woman crossing her legs] 1955 - 1967

Editor: Here we have Richard Diebenkorn’s charcoal drawing, *Untitled [seated woman crossing her legs]*, created sometime between 1955 and 1967. The figure seems very contemplative, caught in a moment of private thought. The lines are so simple, yet they capture a real sense of weight and form. How do you read this drawing? Curator: The figure's pose, coupled with the strategic use of chiaroscuro, directs our attention immediately to her face and hands—the nexus of her contemplation. Notice the artist's intentional use of line. How would you characterize them? Editor: I would describe the lines as restless, not always fully describing the edges. In some places, the shading almost dissolves the line. Curator: Precisely. This blurring challenges our perception, denying us complete certainty about the figure's form, her position in space. This technique emphasizes the surface and materiality of the drawing itself, it refuses to be only representational. Editor: So the imperfections in the lines aren't errors but purposeful choices? They highlight the process, rather than just the outcome. Curator: Exactly. Furthermore, consider the tonal range. Diebenkorn moves from near-white to almost pure black within a relatively restricted register. This pushes the work towards abstraction. We become acutely aware of the charcoal’s capacity to generate not just shapes but planes of light and dark. Editor: I see what you mean. The drawing is representational, but it's also about line, tone and the push-and-pull of composition. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, a rewarding work of art for those with eyes to see it!