Untitled [woman in a checked skirt resting on her side] 1955 - 1967

Here we have an untitled drawing of a woman in a checked skirt resting on her side by Richard Diebenkorn. It’s all lines, really. A demonstration of how much you can do with the bare minimum, like a Matisse drawing, or something by Giacometti. The lines are varied: some are light and scratchy, others darker and more confident. He varies the line weight depending on the contour of the figure. Take a look at the hand, for instance. It's only a few scribbled lines, yet it totally reads as a hand. The lines of the skirt are regular and precise, creating a sense of depth and volume. Overall, the drawing has a relaxed, intimate feel, like a glimpse into a private moment. He’s not trying to do too much or show off. It’s direct and unpretentious. I see him as part of the same generation as Cy Twombly, in that both artists were fascinated by the expressive potential of line.