Field Girl

Artist: M. K. Bardhan 
Series: Nude Series
Medium: Pastel on Paper
Size: 18 × 14 inches ( 45.72 × 35.56 cm)
Year: 1991

An evocative composition from M.K. Bardhan’s Nude Series presents a reclining nude figure, masterfully rendered in pastel on paper. The figure stretches diagonally across the canvas, inviting the viewer into a tranquil moment of repose that is at once intimate and universal. Bardhan’s nuanced handling of the medium captures the softness of the human form while integrating it harmoniously into a stylized, abstracted landscape.

The artist employs a rich and earthy palette dominated by warm browns and a range of greens, from deep forest tones to lighter, vibrant shades. These colors work in concert to define both the figure’s body and the surrounding environment. The body is articulated through a delicate layering of colors, subtle hints of pale orange and pink mingle with the muted earth tones, offering a tactile sense of volume and texture. Bardhan’s visible brushstrokes create a compelling surface texture that enhances the organic feel of the piece, bridging the figure and the landscape seamlessly.

The background suggests a natural setting, possibly a field or gently rolling hill, approached through a stylized rather than literal lens. A dynamic interplay of greens shapes the ground plane, gradually transitioning into warmer yellow and orange hues near the horizon. This gradient evokes the atmospheric effects of either dawn or dusk, imbuing the scene with a poetic sense of time and mood. The color transitions are layered and textured, lending depth without relying on detailed representation, which invites viewers to engage emotionally rather than analytically.

Bardhan’s signature, discreetly placed in the lower right corner, underscores the work’s handcrafted quality. The artist’s technique reflects a sophisticated balance between abstraction and figuration, where the human form is both a subject and an integral element within the natural world. This synthesis offers a meditation on vulnerability, serenity, and the interconnectedness of body and environment. The work exemplifies Bardhan’s ability to capture the essence of the nude figure within a landscape that transcends conventional realism. Through his layered, textured approach and evocative color choices, the artist invites the viewer to experience a moment suspended between presence and dream, making this piece a poignant and compelling contribution to contemporary figurative art.