Untitled [seated nude with her left arm resting on her thigh] 1955 - 1967

Editor: So, we're looking at Richard Diebenkorn's "Untitled [seated nude with her left arm resting on her thigh]," made sometime between 1955 and 1967, in graphite on paper. It feels… vulnerable, yet confident, wouldn't you say? It's a simple sketch, but so evocative. What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, vulnerability absolutely. I think Diebenkorn’s lines capture not just the figure, but the space around her, creating this envelope of intimacy. The lack of sharp definition… it’s almost like a memory, slightly faded but potent. Have you noticed the way he renders the light? Editor: Yes, the shading is really concentrated. It draws my eye in and then the looser lines let me fill in the blanks. Why choose graphite, rather than paint for instance? Curator: Exactly! That’s part of the magic. Graphite allows for this amazing immediacy, you know? He could capture the fleeting essence, the weight and form but it doesn’t shout. It whispers. I like to imagine him almost dancing with the paper, searching for the soul of the sitter. Editor: Dancing with the paper! I love that description. It makes me think about all the choices Diebenkorn made, even with something as simple as a pencil. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Curator: My pleasure. It's like with the most minimalist drawings - we find the heart of the artist and are left reflecting on our own.