Indian Figure 1935 - 1942

This anonymous watercolor rendering depicts an Indian Figure, carefully delineated with precision. The artist seems to have worked slowly, patiently building up layers of thin washes to create depth. I'm particularly drawn to the textural contrast in the figure's attire. The soft, draping folds of the yellow cloak cascade around the figure's shoulders, while the stiff rectangular book creates a dynamic tension. Note how the red bands bordering the hem of his dress appear, the paint is thick and opaque, adding visual weight and a sense of groundedness to the figure. The surface is relatively smooth, with no visible brushstrokes, which gives the piece a sense of formality and restraint. The painting has an affinity with the precise realism of a painter like David Hockney. There’s this wonderful feeling that the artist is engaged in a slow, observational process, each element carefully considered and recorded. Like all art, this is not just a record of observation, but also a demonstration of seeing.