Untitled [standing female nude with arms behind] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a standing female nude with ink on paper. It's about the attitude of line, the feeling of a thing, more than a perfect rendering. Look at the way he varies the line weight, from thin whispers to bold declarations. See that dark patch between her legs? The ink bleeds and pools there, creating a sense of depth and mystery. It's almost like a little abstract painting within the larger image. You can see him thinking, adjusting, reconsidering with each stroke. Diebenkorn reminds me of Matisse in his playful approach to line and form, his ability to capture the essence of a figure with such simple means. Like any good drawing, this one invites you to fill in the blanks. It's a conversation between the artist, the model, and you, the viewer.