2004 162 IN3 

Paul-Émile Borduas created this abstract painting using oil on canvas. Borduas was a key figure in the Automatist movement, and that spirit of spontaneous expression is evident here. Look closely at the brushwork. You'll see how Borduas has applied thick, gestural strokes of paint, layering whites, blacks, yellows, greens and browns to create a dynamic, textured surface. The density of the paint gives the painting a sculptural quality, almost as if it were built up from individual dabs of pigment. This impasto technique is crucial to the work's overall effect. The materiality of the oil paint, with its inherent viscosity and luminosity, becomes a central focus. Borduas isn't just depicting an image, he's emphasizing the physical properties of his medium. This emphasis on the materiality of paint challenges traditional notions of what constitutes fine art, inviting us to appreciate the tactile and sensory qualities of the work.