Urbana #4 1953

Richard Diebenkorn created "Urbana #4" with oil on canvas; a composition of stacked geometric forms. At first glance, the painting presents a tension between representation and abstraction, where blocks of color hint at a landscape. Yet, the interplay of lines and shapes resists any fixed interpretation. Diebenkorn’s structural strategy divides the canvas into horizontal layers, reminiscent of landscapes seen from above. However, these layers do not neatly recede into the distance; they flatten against the picture plane. The colour palette – earthy reds, greens, greys, yellows, blacks and whites – further complicates the illusion, creating a chromatic tension that destabilizes spatial perception. Ultimately, the visual power of "Urbana #4" lies in how it uses abstract forms to evoke, but not define, space. It reflects a semiotic approach, challenging viewers to engage with the underlying structures and codes of representation. This constant interplay invites ongoing interpretation, rather than fixed meaning.