Untitled [head of reclining woman] [recto] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of a reclining woman on paper with ink. It’s all line, searching and redrawing itself, a little tentative, a little unsure. I imagine Diebenkorn circling his subject, trying to find the right line that captures the weight and volume of her body. And it’s a generous line, not too precious, allowing for some ambiguity and imperfection. The pose is relaxed but self-contained; she seems lost in thought, and I wonder what’s going through her mind. I get a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, like we’re catching a glimpse of a private moment. There's something about the curve of her hip, the way her hand rests on her leg. It reminds me a bit of Matisse, that fluid, economical line, but with a distinct American sensibility. I’m always struck by how artists manage to translate the human form into something so evocative with just a few marks on paper. It’s a real magic trick, isn’t it?