Untitled [seated woman with crossed legs] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn created this untitled drawing of a seated woman with charcoal on paper. The composition presents a figure in quiet repose, its power lying in the simplicity and directness of the line. Diebenkorn uses line to construct form, but also to suggest absence. Notice how the figure is not fully delineated, but instead implied through a series of open contours and gestural marks. The crossed legs and clasped hands create a central focal point, while the face remains obscured, almost erased. This partial erasure destabilizes traditional notions of portraiture, inviting viewers to consider the work beyond mere representation. The visible erasures and corrections suggest a process of constant revision, aligning it with the artist's broader exploration of space, form, and perception. The work exists in a state of becoming, resisting fixed interpretation, and prompting ongoing engagement.