Untitled [woman in a sleeveless dress seated on sofa] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a woman on a sofa using ink on paper. This choice of material gives the work a sense of immediacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment. The ink lines, quickly applied, have a raw quality. They capture the subject's form and posture with minimal fuss, allowing for an expressive energy. The texture of the paper is visible, adding another layer of tactility to the image, bringing us closer to the artist’s process. It is a drawing as opposed to a painting; intimate, immediate, a study rather than a finished work. Consider the social context: a woman relaxing in a domestic space. The drawing has a casual feel, but the artist's hand is evident in the assured lines and composition. It is a synthesis of observation and creative intent, a space in between the quick sketch and the studied painting. Ultimately, this work reminds us that art is as much about the artist's choices of material and method as it is about the subject matter itself.