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Ocean Park No. 27

Richard Diebenkorn

Contemporary Art

In 1967, Richard Diebenkorn began a series of paintings named Ocean Park after the section of Santa Monica, California, where he had his studio. In contrast to his preceding, figurative group of works, this new series of abstract images allowed the artist to employ, as he put it, "an allover light which wasn't possible in the representational works, which seem somewhat dingy by comparison." In Ocean Park No.27, Diebenkorn reduces the scene to planes and fragments of color. Depth and spatial illusion are suggested by the color's changing density and the composition's system of receding lines. Using a low-key palette devoid of harsh tones, the artist accomplishes his stated goal of communicating "a feeling of strength in reserve, tension beneath calm."
MEDIUM Oil and charcoal on canvas
DATES 1970
DIMENSIONS 100 × 80 in. (254 × 203.2 cm) frame: 100 3/4 x 81 3/8 x 2 1/8 in. (255.9 x 206.7 x 5.4 cm)  (show scale)
SIGNATURE Signed lower right: "R.D. 70"
INSCRIPTIONS Inscribed upper left verso: "Ocean Park #27"
COLLECTIONS Contemporary Art
ACCESSION NUMBER 72.4
CREDIT LINE Gift of The Roebling Society and Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Blatt and Mr. and Mrs. William K. Jacobs, Jr.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Richard Diebenkorn (American, 1922–1993). Ocean Park No. 27, 1970. Oil and charcoal on canvas, 100 × 80 in. (254 × 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. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 72.4_slide_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 72.4_slide_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT © The Estate of Richard Diebenkorn
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