Untitled [seated female nude with arms in lap] 1955 - 1967

Here is a brush and ink drawing of a seated female nude, made by Richard Diebenkorn at an unknown date. The stark contrast between the ink and paper creates a sense of immediacy, capturing a fleeting moment. The ink, fluid and expressive, reveals its own inherent qualities through the artist’s hand, with variations in pressure and speed that create depth and shadow. It's worth noting that, in a work like this, the artist's labor is very much on display. The strokes of ink across the paper, the decisions made about line and form, all speak to the time and effort involved in the artistic process. This kind of drawing emphasizes the artist's hand, making it a tangible record of his work. By focusing on the materials and processes behind this artwork, we can begin to understand how it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, highlighting the importance of materiality and making in the creation of meaning.