Untitled [reclining nude stretching out her right leg] 1955 - 1967

Richard Diebenkorn made this ink drawing of a reclining nude, stretching out her right leg, on paper. See how he is feeling out the form in a single, continuous line? It’s not about perfection; it’s about process, about searching. The texture of the paper is smooth and cool, contrasting with the black ink, which is applied thinly and with immediacy. Look at the model’s left hand. Notice how Diebenkorn has suggested the form of the fingers with a quick, scribbled series of marks. It captures the tension and energy of the pose. He's getting at something essential with very little, which reminds me of Matisse. Diebenkorn’s work is like a conversation, always referring back to what came before but always pushing forward into new territory. It’s not about fixed meanings but about embracing ambiguity, trusting that the real stuff is often found in the in-between spaces.