Untitled [side view of a standing nude] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a nude, with what looks like a graphite stick on paper, sometime in the 20th century. Look at the way he uses the side of the graphite to shade, almost like he’s sculpting the form with tone. The drawing feels immediate, like a fleeting impression, but also considered, with careful attention to the fall of light and shadow. Notice how the hatching marks around the figure’s leg aren't just about describing form, but create a sense of volume. The texture of the paper is almost as important as the lines themselves. For me, this piece calls to mind the work of Matisse, especially his line drawings. But where Matisse is all about the elegant, flowing line, Diebenkorn is a bit more rough and ready, less concerned with perfection, more interested in capturing the energy of the moment. In a way, this drawing is all about the conversation that artists have with each other across time. It reminds us that art is always a process of looking, responding, and reinterpreting.