Untitled 1961

Vilen Barsky made this untitled painting with what looks like gouache, maybe, on paper. There’s something immediate and raw about the application of paint that really grabs you. The texture of the paper is evident in the translucency of the red background, and this contrast really pushes the figures forward. Look at the way Barsky uses these strokes of blue to suggest form. It's like he's building the bodies out of light and shadow. The black outlines aren't precious either, they're thick, irregular, and full of character. The way the artist left the brushstrokes visible—it’s all about the process, the energy of the hand moving across the surface. It reminds me of the work of Leon Golub, both of them seem less interested in achieving perfection, and more focused on capturing a feeling. Ultimately, this piece isn't about telling you exactly what to think, but about inviting you to feel something.