Untitled [seated nude woman wearing glasses] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a seated nude woman wearing glasses with crayon or charcoal on paper. I see the artist’s hand moving quickly, capturing the essence of the figure with bold, energetic lines. I can imagine Diebenkorn in his studio, circling the model, trying to catch her just so. Look at the varying pressure of the marks. He is adding depth and shadow, really fleshing out the form. The texture created by the crayon feels immediate, like a snapshot of a fleeting moment. I love the figure’s pose, so casual and unguarded. The glasses add an unexpected touch, grounding the nude form in reality. Diebenkorn, like many artists, was in conversation with other artists, like Matisse, and he drew from life to work out his painting ideas. For me, drawing like this embodies a search. He embraces the mistakes, the awkward angles, and the unresolved areas. Each mark communicates feeling, intention, and meaning. What do you see?