Figurehead from "Indian Princess" c. 1937

Elizabeth Moutal made this figurehead of an Indian Princess with watercolor on paper. The subtle palette of grey-blue and cream makes me think about artmaking as a delicate and nuanced process. Look closely at the way Moutal uses color to create depth and volume. The paint is applied in thin, transparent layers, allowing the blue of the paper to peek through, especially in the background. This creates a sense of atmosphere and almost makes the figure appear to float. The shadows are soft and diffused, adding to the dreamlike quality of the piece. Notice the almost imperceptible shift of tone in the folds of the dress and how a small variation in tone can imply a whole world of form. The way she renders this figure makes me think of the sculptor, Sarah Sze. In both, there is this attention to the process of making and an embrace of openness.