Untitled [seated woman leaning her head on her left hand] 1955 - 1967

Curator: This is Richard Diebenkorn's "Untitled [seated woman leaning her head on her left hand]", likely created between 1955 and 1967. Editor: There's an immediate intimacy to it, almost voyeuristic. It feels raw and personal, like a quick study. I am drawn to the minimalist nature and its subtle evocation of interiority. Curator: Indeed. Note how the lines are spare yet so expressive. Diebenkorn has captured the pose and essence of the figure using minimal pencil strokes. The negative space around the figure becomes just as crucial, creating a sense of contemplative isolation. Editor: And it’s fascinating to think about what type of pencil he used. I'm curious about the hand that guided that graphite. Did he prefer a softer lead? How did its texture allow for gradations of depth? These are not insignificant details. Curator: Good questions. His process aimed to capture an essential form. It reminds us of similar line-based works by Matisse, yet with a distinctly American sensibility—a bit more rugged, less classically refined. Editor: I agree about the raw quality. Looking at this, I wonder, who was this woman? Where was she sitting, and what kind of labor supported Diebenkorn’s capacity to make these studies? It points toward a very specific culture of art-making at that time. Curator: I appreciate that you point out those important aspects. Perhaps this sketch functioned as a building block towards his larger paintings or simply an exercise in form and observation. In either case, the figure remains enigmatic. Editor: Ultimately, Diebenkorn gives us access to both the model and his own process—the work remains exposed and honest. Curator: It’s a potent demonstration of how seemingly simple lines can contain such depth of feeling. Editor: I've gained new appreciation for the hidden context embedded within such a minimal drawing.