Untitled [female nude resting on her forearms] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this ‘Untitled’ work using brush and ink on paper. The stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper creates dramatic light and shadow, emphasizing the contours of the reclining figure. You can see the fluid, almost effortless quality of the brushstrokes, rapidly deployed. The ink bleeds and pools, and the visible texture of the paper adds depth to the composition, while the negative space around the figure is just as important as the figure itself. The choice of ink and paper isn't accidental. It suggests a sense of immediacy, a direct connection between the artist's hand and the artwork. In contrast to highly labored oil paintings, drawing is often associated with the initial stages of art making; Diebenkorn elevates drawing to the status of a finished work of art. Ultimately, ‘Untitled’ is a powerful reminder that the materials and processes used to create art are just as important as the subject matter itself.