Richard Diebenkorn "City Scape 1"

   This week we return to the United States to meet Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993), who is one of my favorite American artists.  Here we have City Scape I,  which was produced in 1963 during a period where he set aside abstract expressionism for a more representational style.  

   Reviewing Diebenkorn's life I was struck by two things.  First, he was an educator; teaching at many universities and art schools on the West Coast.   About the time of this painting, he was artist-in-residence at Stanford, and living in Berkeley, California.  Teaching forces one to verbalize about your subject, even for the most reclusive of artists.  Formally organizing thoughts about Art, painting and conveying that knowledge to others is a desirable tool in advancing one's own work. 

   Second, Diebenkorn pursued his education through travel, moving about periodically to experience a range of contemporary visual art and delving into art work of the past, for example, Matisse's late painting, French Window at Collibioure.  A complete study of Diebenkorn displays his application of this education in the progress of his art. 


    I see Ocean Scape I, as a step toward his very successful, Ocean Park series which will come twenty years later.  The subject for this painting is very clear, a community landscape.  But the emphasis does not seem to be on any specific site, rather the visual structure of roads, sea, ground,and building shapes meeting together.  It is late in the day, we can almost decide on the direction we are looking, for there are long shadows casting sharp triangles, rectangles.  Diebenkorn presents just enough information to allow the view to understand his subject, but it is obviously this structure that is important.  Also interesting is the point of view.  We are look down as if a top a high building or hill.  This air view will be seen many times in the future, not only by Diebenkorn, but other artists to come.

   City Scape I is an oil on canvas, it was painted in 1963.  It measures 153 x 128.3 cm. and is part of the permanent collection of the San Fransciso Museum of Modern Art.  

   Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.

  














Comments

  1. Char HarguthSeptember 14, 2020 at 8:24 AM

    My first response is how geometric this painting is. And secondly, I imagine a horizon beyond the painting itself. Lines, shapes and color balance this work through out. I am fond of neutral colors!
    Looking down on the view makes it more interesting. This is a calming, pleasant and safe location.
    I find it fascinating that he was influenced by Matisse. I agree that verbalizing your art requires extra study, beyond just making art!! Reminds me of the age-old request of a child - "Tell me about your picture??"

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