Untitled (Lovers) 1972

M.F. Husain made this untitled image of lovers with paint and ink sometime in the 20th century. See how the figures are rendered with such a delicate touch? It's as if the artist is feeling his way around the forms, sketching with paint, embracing the fluidity and the chance encounters that come with the process. The surface has a kind of porous, almost sponge-like texture, built up from layers of thin washes. Look at the way the red bleeds into the surrounding colours, creating a sense of warmth and intimacy. The lines, so thin and wiry, dance across the surface, binding the figures together in a tender embrace. Husain's work reminds me a little of Francis Newton Souza, another Indian modern artist who also explored themes of sexuality and spirituality in his work. Like Souza, Husain isn’t afraid to embrace ambiguity and to leave space for the viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work.