I recently stumbled upon the Richard Diebenkorn Foundation website. It’s an incredible resource. Most, if not all, of his work can be found there.
Diebenkorn’s still lifes pleasantly surprised me. They are mundane and melancholic yet playful. I was delighted to see how often coffee cups made an appearance. It’s an everyday object. Not special but nevertheless the subject of a meditative study. While the cups are not serious in themselves, each painting instills a strong mood.
These paintings are odd, and I quite like them for their quiet awkwardness. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Richard Diebenkorn
Cup and Knife, 1964
Ink, gouache, and Conté crayon on joined paper
11 1/8 x 11 1/8 in.
Richard Diebenkorn
Still Life with Matchbook, 1956
Oil on canvas
26 1/2 x 30 in.
Richard Diebenkorn
Cups, 1957
Oil on canvas
16 x 18 in.
Richard Diebenkorn
Cups II, 1957
Oil on canvas
20 5/8 x 24 in.
Richard Diebenkorn
Still Life with Book, 1958
Oil on canvas
17 1/8 x 19 1/4 in.
Richard Diebenkorn
Cup, 1962
Oil on canvas
10 3/4 x 10 3/4 in.
Richard Diebenkorn
Still Life With Cup and Leaves, 1965
Ink, graphite and Conté crayon on paper
11 x 12 1/4 in.
Richard Diebenkorn
Untitled, 1965
Gouache, crayon, ink, and paper tape on paper
17 1/8 x 14 1/4 in.