Abstract And Bland: The Paintings Of Richard Diebenkorn

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 117 months ago

Last Updated 14 March 2015

Abstract And Bland: The Paintings Of Richard Diebenkorn ★☆☆☆☆ 1
Richard Diebenkorn Cityscape #1, 1963 Oil on canvas, 153 x 128.3 cm San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Purchased with funds from Trustees and friends in memory of Hector Escobosa, Brayton Wilbur, and J.D. Zellerbach Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
These landscapes are the best works in the show. Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
Richard Diebenkorn Albuquerque #4, 1951 Oil on canvas, 128.9 x 116.2 cm Saint Louis Art Museum. Gift of Joseph Pulitzer Jr. Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
These early abstract works feel very muddled. Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
Richard Diebenkorn Girl On a Terrace, 1956 Oil on canvas, 179.07 x 166.05 x 2.54 cm Collection Neuberger Museum of Art Purchase College, State University of New York. Gift of Roy R. Neuberger Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
The figurative work appears fairly amateurish. Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
Richard Diebenkorn Berkeley #5, 1953 Oil on canvas, 134.6 x 134.6 cm Private collection Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
His paintings often lack clarity. Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
Richard Diebenkorn Ocean Park #27, 1970 Oil on canvas, 254 x 203.2 cm Brooklyn Museum. Gift of The Roebling Society and Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Blatt and Mr. and Mrs. William K. Jacobs, Jr., 72.4 Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
These abstract colour fields have a Matisse feel to them but the colours aren't vibrant enough. Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
Richard Diebenkorn Ocean Park #116, 1979 Oil and charcoal on canvas 208.3 x 182.9 cm Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, museum purchase, gift of Mrs. Paul L. Wattis Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation
Copyright 2014 The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation

Londonist Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Richard Diebenkorn is a painter who is well regarded in the US but not much known in Europe. This exhibition has brought across more than 50 of his works to remedy this fact.

His early abstract paintings feel muddled and unfocused and it's only in his later career that these abstract works became more strictly lineated and geometric. Yet his use of colour lacks vibrancy and therefore impact, compared to the cut-outs by Matisse these pieces lack energy and left us feeling underwhelmed.

Diebenkorn also turned his hand to figurative works and landscapes, but once again the use of colour left us feeling disengaged. Compared to fellow painters Peter Doig and David Hockney there just isn't anything in Diebenkorn's work that creates an emotional connection with the viewer.

Richard Diebenkorn is little known in the UK and we think this is for good reason, as he's not at all comparable to more accomplished British artists. This show is a massive disappointment and one to avoid.

Richard Diebenkorn is on at the Royal Academy of Arts until 7 June. Tickets are £10 for adults, concessions available.

Also still on at the Royal Academy is the impressive Rubens and his legacy.

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