The artwork titled “Berkeley #20” was created by artist Richard Diebenkorn in 1954. It is an oil on canvas measuring 177.8 cm by 155.6 cm and is part of the artist’s “Berkeley” series produced between 1953 and 1956. This piece is emblematic of the Abstract Expressionist movement and is characterized by its abstract genre.
“Berkeley #20” features a dynamic composition with a balance of dark and light color planes. The use of thick, gestural brushstrokes is apparent, contributing to the tactile quality of the surface. The colors are layered and interact with each other, creating depths within the artwork that suggest three-dimensionality. The canvas is dominated by earthy tones and contrasting patches of muted ochres and blues, flanked by swathes of deep greens and blacks. There is an overarching sense of spontaneous energy and a lack of geometric structure that aligns with the ethos of Abstract Expressionism, where the focus is on the act of painting as much as the final product. The artwork defies representational clarity, instead inviting viewers to navigate their own emotions and interpretations through the visceral interplay of color and form.
