Untitled [nude seated and resting her hands on her left thigh] 1955 - 1967

Editor: This is an untitled pencil drawing of a nude figure by Richard Diebenkorn, created sometime between 1955 and 1967. It feels quite raw and immediate with all those visible, energetic lines. What can you tell me about this piece from an art expert’s perspective? Curator: Focusing on the formal qualities, the energetic, almost frenetic, network of lines creates a dynamic tension. Notice how the artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up the forms and suggest volume. The absence of shading creates a sense of flatness, yet the figure is undoubtedly present. What effect do you think that tension between flatness and volume has? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that contrast. Maybe it makes the figure seem more immediate and less idealized? Like a real person rather than a classical nude. Curator: Precisely. Consider the lines themselves – they aren't just descriptive; they're expressive. The density of lines around the face draws the eye, yet the features remain obscured, a compelling ambiguity. And what do you make of the composition? The figure is centrally located. How does that impact your reading of the piece? Editor: The central composition gives the figure presence and makes it confrontational for the viewer. Overall, looking closely reveals intentional choices behind the energetic marks. It isn’t just a quick sketch, but a studied exploration. Curator: Agreed. Diebenkorn masterfully uses the inherent qualities of the pencil to push and pull the figure into being, leaving us with a sense of incompleteness and potential. Editor: This perspective really helps to decode what I saw initially. It highlights the intention behind what felt like impulsive mark-making. Thank you!