Rajasthani Women 1960

M.F. Husain made "Rajasthani Women" with paint on canvas, and it looks like he was interested in how simple marks can suggest complex forms. The sandy hues and earthy tones, are laid down pretty thickly, giving the piece a sort of sculptural feel. You can almost see the history of each stroke, the layers building up like sediment. Take a look at the way Husain renders the bodies of the women. These figures aren't just flat shapes; they're built up with line and subtle shading to give a sense of volume and weight. The horizontal lines running across the composition create a sense of unity, binding the figures together but also emphasizing the flatness of the picture plane. It's a beautiful balance between representation and abstraction, flatness and depth. The rawness reminds me of some early Brice Marden, in the way he built form through process. Art, like life, is a constant conversation.