Untitled [two female nudes resting together] [verso] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this drawing of two female nudes resting together using graphite on paper. The seemingly simple choice of materials speaks volumes. Graphite, the soft, crystalline form of carbon found in pencils, has a directness that encourages spontaneity. Notice the linear quality of the drawing. Diebenkorn seems to capture the essence of form with the fewest possible marks, allowing the underlying paper to breathe. The immediacy of graphite lends itself to studies and sketches, preliminary explorations that offer a glimpse into the artist's process. But don't mistake this for mere underdrawing. The social context of drawing, especially the nude, is deeply rooted in art history, with its traditional emphasis on academic training and skill. By focusing on line and form, Diebenkorn engages with this history while also asserting the value of the intimate, unadorned gesture. In the end, it's the combination of material, process, and context that allows us to fully appreciate the artwork's meaning, questioning conventional ideas about what constitutes a finished work of art.