The Baluch 1995

Morteza Katouzian’s painting presents us with a sensitive portrayal in oil paint, where strokes of white and brown dance across the canvas. I imagine Katouzian layering thin washes of color, allowing the figure to emerge gradually. The artist's hand seems to float and linger over the contours of the man's face, capturing a sense of quiet dignity. Look closely and you’ll see each brushstroke carries an intention, a feeling. The texture of the turban, achieved with delicate daubs of white, contrasts with the smooth skin, creating a tactile experience for the eye. I think of Lucian Freud, another painter who sought to capture the raw intensity of the human form. Each artist's unique vision builds upon a collective understanding, contributing to the ever-evolving language of painting. We learn from each other as painters, not just from looking at each other's work, but from absorbing each other's experiences. We are permanently embedded in, and party to, that lineage.