Untitled [reclining nude with hands behind head] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a reclining nude, with charcoal I imagine, sometime during his career. See how the marks almost feel tentative, as if feeling around for the form, trying to define it through a haze of lines. It's like watching a figure emerge from a fog. I wonder what Diebenkorn was thinking as he worked on this piece? Maybe he was fascinated by the way light and shadow played across the model's body, or perhaps he was more interested in the abstract shapes and patterns he could create with his charcoal. The dark lines around the model create a sense of depth and volume, while the softer smudges suggest the subtle curves and contours of her form. That bold stroke that defines the edge of the sofa is so arresting, so confident! Diebenkorn is in conversation with painters such as Matisse, who also explored the nude figure in their work. Painting is an ongoing exchange, isn't it? Each artist brings their unique vision and experience to the table, enriching and expanding the possibilities of the medium.