Untitled [seated nude adjusting her hair] [recto] 1955 - 1967

Editor: This drawing, titled "Untitled [seated nude adjusting her hair] [recto]," is by Richard Diebenkorn, likely made between 1955 and 1967, using charcoal. I’m really struck by the strong lines and the contrast between light and shadow. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: It’s the interplay of those lines and the implied volumes they create. Notice how Diebenkorn uses varying densities of charcoal to suggest form. The absence of precise contour lines forces the viewer to complete the form, actively engaging in the creation of the image. How does this incomplete rendering affect your reading of the subject? Editor: It almost makes it feel more intimate. Like we're catching a glimpse of a private moment, a sketch rather than a polished portrayal. Curator: Precisely. And observe how the composition avoids conventional idealization. The figure isn't positioned or lit in a way that emphasizes classical beauty. Rather, there’s an honesty in the representation. The slightly awkward angle of the arm, the way the weight shifts—it’s about form and presence, not necessarily perfection. Do you think the artist seeks to highlight the abstract nature of the form itself? Editor: I do. The way he’s focused on shapes and shading, the figure becomes less about a specific person and more about a study in form and composition. It's beautiful. Curator: Indeed, the artwork provides a rewarding study of the use of line and value. It compels us to observe the interplay between representation and abstraction. Editor: That focus on form definitely shifts my perspective. Thank you!