Standing Figure, Back View 1953

Frank Mason made this painting, "Standing Figure, Back View" with oil paint. The figure emerges out of this sea of dark, almost like it's being born right in front of us. Look at the way Mason uses these earth tones – browns, umbers, maybe a touch of gold – to create a sense of depth and mystery. You can almost feel the texture of the paint, thick in some areas, thin and transparent in others. See how he builds up the form with these small, broken strokes? It’s like he’s sculpting the figure out of light and shadow. I find my eye being drawn to the back, which is the focal point, the light really hits that spot. Mason seems to be echoing the old masters like Rembrandt, but with a more modern sensibility. And it reminds me a little bit of Auerbach, in the way he's wrestling with form and representation.