Untitled [crouching nude balancing herself on her left hand] 1955 - 1967

Editor: So, this is an untitled drawing by Richard Diebenkorn, created sometime between 1955 and 1967. It looks like it's primarily rendered in pencil, portraying a nude figure in a crouched position. I'm immediately struck by its intimacy, like we're peeking into a very private moment. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It whispers, doesn’t it? Diebenkorn captures the vulnerability of the human form so beautifully with just a few lines. Notice the careful balance he's achieved – both physically, with the figure supporting herself on her left hand, and compositionally, how the darkness around the left arm and shoulder help center the overall balance in a similar area. This isn't just a nude; it’s an exploration of form and emotion, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Yes, definitely! There's a raw, almost unfinished quality, especially in the way the lines aren’t perfectly smooth or complete. It makes it feel so immediate. Was this common for Diebenkorn? Curator: He often left his work feeling ‘in process,’ allowing the viewer to witness his artistic journey. You know, some critics felt his move towards abstraction was a betrayal of his earlier figurative work. Can you see hints of that movement here? Editor: Now that you mention it, I do! Especially in how the planes of the body are simplified, almost geometric. There's a tension between representation and abstraction, and in a way, a dialogue about that tension is evident, maybe unintentionally? Curator: Precisely! It is interesting how he allowed himself that kind of grace to show a change in mind. He wasn’t afraid to show what it looks like when you begin shifting paradigms, like he was letting go, and leaning into something unknown, rather beautifully! It leaves us questioning what beauty, perfection, and balance means, not only for him, but for ourselves! Editor: I never would've noticed that before. Thanks; now I appreciate Diebenkorn’s process of figuring things out! Curator: Art is a dance. It doesn't end, and if you are lucky, it shifts and grooves to your soul. That's all there is!