Richard Diebenkorn’s painting ‘Ocean Park No.114’ was created in 1979 and is part of a series reflecting the landscape around the artist’s California studio. He spent two decades working on this series, during which he gradually shifted his style from representational works to abstract ones. The painting measures 100 x 81 inches and is made of oil and charcoal on canvas.
The painting’s lower-left corner bears Diebenkorn’s signature and 1979 is written in full on the back. The piece is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park series consists of 145 paintings, with most of them being tall rectangular canvases, divided by horizontal and vertical lines.
Overall, this painting, like others in the series, uses abstract compositions to evoke an impression of the landscape Diebenkorn loved. The lines in the painting suggest a grid-like system, creating interplay between spaces of colour and blank space. Diebenkorn’s brushstrokes are visible and very intentional, showing his mastery. This painting represents both the time and work that went into the artist’s evolution in painting style, as well as a complex and evocative work of art.
