Untitled [seated nude holding her knee and shin] 1955 - 1967

This ‘Untitled’ ink wash drawing was made by Richard Diebenkorn, sometime during his career. It's like he's feeling his way around the form, using these inky washes to find the light and shadow, almost as if he's sculpting with the ink itself. Look at the way the ink pools and bleeds, especially in the background. It’s almost like looking into a dark mirror. And then there are these stark, white areas, where the paper shines through, creating a real push-and-pull between light and dark. I love how the figure emerges, not as a perfect representation, but as an impression, caught in a moment of reflection. Notice the dark outlines around her eyes. The contrast is so stark, and it gives her a kind of mysterious, unknowable quality. Diebenkorn's work is always such a great reminder that art isn't about answers, it's about the questions. It's about the space in between. Just like with someone like Philip Guston, it's the feeling of openness, of possibility, that makes it so compelling.