Untitled [seated female nude with right arm raised] [verso] 1955 - 1967

This untitled drawing of a seated nude with raised arm was made by Richard Diebenkorn, probably with charcoal or graphite. The marks are searching, exploratory. Diebenkorn makes no attempt to conceal or cover over his process. The surface of the paper has a tooth to it, and you can see where the charcoal has caught, creating a texture that feels both tentative and raw. Look at the dark shadow beneath the model’s thigh, how it anchors her to the page, while other marks drift and fade like ghosts. The lines themselves are wiry and energetic, capturing the model's pose in a way that's both intimate and detached. It reminds me of a de Kooning drawing, but with a cooler, more West Coast vibe. Diebenkorn is an artist who’s always in conversation with other artists, with the history of art, and with himself. He allows space for multiple interpretations without forcing a fixed meaning.