Untitled [seated nude leaning on her right arm] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this untitled drawing of a seated nude, likely in the mid-twentieth century, using graphite on paper. Look at how Diebenkorn confidently lays down lines to explore form and space. There's a real sense of artmaking as a process here, a kind of thinking-through-drawing, you know? The lines aren't precious, they're searching. It's like he's mapping out the figure, finding its essence through a web of marks. Notice the area around the model's legs, where the lines thicken and intersect, creating a dense, almost sculptural effect. This darker area grounds the figure. I love how he leaves the face blank, too; it’s as if he's inviting us to project our own emotions and interpretations onto the figure. I'm reminded of Matisse, in a way, with his exploration of line and form, but Diebenkorn brings his own distinct sensibility to the nude. Art is just one big conversation, right? It’s a testament to how art can embrace ambiguity, leaving room for endless possibilities.