The artwork titled “Albuquerque #11,” created by Richard Diebenkorn in 1951, is an oil on canvas painting that measures 143.2 cm by 113.7 cm. It is part of the Albuquerque series, which Diebenkorn worked on during the years 1951-1952. This piece is characteristic of the Abstract Expressionist movement, to which Diebenkorn contributed significantly. Embracing the expressive potential of abstract art, this work is emblematic of the genre it represents.
The artwork exhibits a rich pulsating surface characterized by bold and emotive color fields. The composition favors a horizontal orientation, with several bands and blocks of color layered upon each other. At the top, a wide band of dark blue sits atop a beige background, suggesting a horizon or a vast expanse. Below this band, an array of warmer tones—pinks, creams, and ochres—meld and overlap in a loosely defined central area, forming an abstract landscape of sorts. Marks and lines faintly emerge from beneath these color fields, indicating an energetic underpainting process.
Touches of teal and small patches of varying hues suggest a complex depth wherein the artist may have explored the spatial dynamics between foreground and background within these abstract forms. It is a piece that resists instant cognizance, asking the viewer to linger and consider the play of colors and textures. The lower section of the artwork is dominated by a golden yellow that reinforces the painting’s warm overall tone, embodying the radiant light one might associate with the landscape of Albuquerque. The physicality of the brushwork combined with the choice of palette and the intuitive arrangement of form and space reflect the quintessential characteristics of Abstract Expressionism, emphasizing the subjective experience both in creation and reception.
