Woman in Red 1964

M.F. Husain made this painting with oil on canvas, layering the paint with a palette knife, and adding graphic strokes with a brush. See how the material itself – gloopy, opaque, and bright – has influenced the appearance of the image. Husain allows the qualities of the paint to guide his creative process, reveling in its texture and weight, and building up the layers to create a dynamic surface. The paint has been applied directly from the tube in some areas, with little blending, retaining its texture, and allowing for the layering of colors. The artist used the techniques of impasto to create a bold, graphic composition and a heightened sense of volume. Husain's technique, reminiscent of expressionist painting, suggests an attempt to capture a deeper emotional state through abstraction. This approach elevates the importance of materials and making, as integral to the expression of meaning within the artwork.