Untitled [male nude holding the arm of a female nude] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of two nudes using what looks like charcoal on paper. It's all about the line, isn't it? Not fussy, but confident, feeling around for the form. I always look at the places where the artist maybe struggled, or changed their mind; that's where the real energy of a piece lives. See the way the line wavers a little around the male figure's leg? It's not about perfection; it's about the process of seeing and trying to capture it. The texture of the charcoal itself is pretty evident here, and those soft lines give a real sense of intimacy. Like you’re peeking into the artist’s sketchbook. I think it's interesting that Diebenkorn has chosen to depict the male figure holding the arm of the female figure; this unusual presentation makes me wonder about their relationship. You can see echoes of Matisse in this piece, that same love of a simple, elegant line. And like Matisse, Diebenkorn reminds us that art isn’t about answers, but about asking questions and embracing the beauty of the unfinished.