Untitled [seated female nude turning towards viewer] 1955 - 1967

Editor: We're looking at Richard Diebenkorn's "Untitled [seated female nude turning towards viewer]," a pencil drawing made between 1955 and 1967. I'm struck by the vulnerability in this figure; it's not overtly sexualized, more about a raw, almost hesitant, exposure. What formal qualities stand out to you? Curator: Formally, one is compelled to consider the economy of line. Note the varying pressure applied, creating areas of dense shadow contrasted with ethereal outlines. It seems Diebenkorn prioritizes the overall structure and balance rather than focusing on precise anatomical accuracy. Consider how the negative space around the figure contributes to the overall composition, defining the sitter's posture. Editor: So, you're saying the lack of precise detail actually *adds* to the drawing's impact? Curator: Precisely. Observe the hatching and cross-hatching. The varying directions suggest the form's volume while simultaneously flattening the image. Does this juxtaposition, the tension between the two and three-dimensional, convey the vulnerability you perceived? Is this tension a function of the forms themselves? Editor: I think so. It's like the drawing is simultaneously revealing and concealing, making it feel more honest. Looking at the unfinished face… do you see a link with cubism's fragmentation? Curator: The fractured rendering of the face, yes, that invites an interpretation through the lens of Cubist principles. However, rather than fracturing the form to display multiple viewpoints simultaneously, Diebenkorn employs the sketchy quality to imply movement, a turning of the head. It is a dynamic pose, full of inherent tension. Editor: That's a fresh perspective. It's fascinating to think about the interplay between line, shadow, and form in creating that effect. I’ll never see the Cubists the same way! Curator: Indeed. Formal analysis provides invaluable insight when engaging with Diebenkorn’s masterful rendering of light and depth using limited means.