Untitled 

This untitled painting was made by Zdzislaw Beksinski, who died in 2005. He worked with a mix of techniques, building up layer upon layer of paint with obvious care and precision. Notice how the materiality of the paint itself helps to create the overall effect. The surface has an almost geological texture, like weathered stone. This gives the image a sense of weight and permanence, even as the subject matter is surreal and unsettling. Beksinski's process of layering and blending, combined with his distinctive color palette, creates a dreamlike atmosphere, that is at once alluring and disturbing. While he might be considered a fine artist, this painting also speaks to the material sensibility of craft practices. It reminds us that all art is rooted in the skillful manipulation of matter, and that understanding an artwork means understanding its making.