Untitled [back and buttocks view of a kneeling female nude] [verso] 1955 - 1967

This drawing of a kneeling nude was made by Richard Diebenkorn with graphite on paper. The qualities of these materials – the relative cheapness of paper, the directness of drawing – suggest a sketch rather than a finished artwork, capturing a fleeting moment. The tooth of the paper is smooth, yet the graphite lines vary in weight, as Diebenkorn tests the pressure he applies through his hand. It’s tempting to think about drawing as a direct route to the artist’s sensibility, yet the practice of life-drawing has a long and complex history. Traditionally, it was a means for artists to hone their skills, a way of training the eye and hand. The model, in this context, was a tool for this process, a means to an end. There’s no indication that Diebenkorn sought to challenge that tradition. The drawing’s strength lies in its unpretentious character; a simple record of observation, honestly and economically achieved. In the end, it is precisely through this material simplicity and its making that we can appreciate the work's impact.