Untitled [seated female nude: side view] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn's "Untitled [seated female nude: side view]" is a drawing rendered with graphite on paper. Immediately, one is drawn to the interplay between positive and negative space. The figure is outlined with a deliberate hand, yet the interior shading remains minimal. The composition uses line to create form, focusing on the contours of the sitter’s profile and upper body. Diebenkorn’s strokes vary in pressure and direction, building a sense of volume without resorting to traditional modeling techniques. This approach reflects a modernist engagement with form and representation. The seemingly unfinished quality invites a consideration of semiotics. Diebenkorn doesn't just depict a nude; he explores the act of seeing and recording. The sketch can be interpreted as a sign, representing both the female form and the artist's subjective perception, challenging fixed meanings and inviting ongoing interpretation. The work embodies Diebenkorn's project to challenge established artistic norms.