Untitled [nude in an armchair with her right foot in the seat] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled nude in an armchair with charcoal, and it's all about the line. The lines are not too precious, and they feel like the artist is thinking through the form, almost mapping it out. I love this kind of drawing as you get to see the artist's process. The material aspect of the work is essential. It’s just charcoal on paper, but the simplicity is so effective. You can feel the grit of the charcoal, the way it catches on the page, especially in the darker areas where he’s built up the tone. Look at the hatched shading on the seat of the chair and how that contrasts with the confident sweep of the lines of her body. The charcoal allows him to keep the image open. It is not overworked or overly descriptive. This drawing reminds me of Matisse, but with an American directness. It's not about perfection; it is about the energy of looking and responding.