Untitled (Figure in Red)

Artist: Sunil Madhav Sen
Medium: Mixed Media on Paper
Size: 14.5 × 9.5 inches (36.8 × 24. 1 cm)
Year: Circa 1950s

This striking abstract painting by Sunil Madhav Sen is a compelling exploration of color, texture, and form that showcases the artist’s deep engagement with modernist aesthetics. Executed in mixed media on paper, the work captivates viewers with its rich, layered surface and dynamic composition, inviting a deeper contemplation of abstraction’s emotive potential.

Dominated by a palette of deep crimson, dark maroon, and purplish-gray hues, the painting creates a complex interplay of color that is both moody and vibrant. These colors are not merely applied flatly but are thickly impastoed, creating a textured surface that invites close inspection. The tactile quality of the paint reveals Sen’s deliberate technique of building up layers, where each brushstroke and palette knife mark contributes to a sense of depth and materiality. This technique not only adds visual interest but also conveys the physicality of the artistic process, making the painting feel alive and immediate.

The composition is structured around roughly geometric shapes, angular pieces or planes, that intersect and overlap across the surface. While the forms are primarily abstract and geometric, there are subtle hints of organic elements embedded within the shapes, offering a tension between order and spontaneity. This fusion of geometric rigor with organic suggestion adds a layer of complexity, encouraging viewers to interpret the forms beyond their initial abstraction. Visually commanding within this composition are vivid patches of red, which punctuate the darker maroon and gray tones. These bursts of color act as focal points, energizing the painting and guiding the eye across the canvas. The contrast between these reds and the subdued background hues enhances the dynamic quality of the piece, evoking a sense of movement and emotional intensity.

Sen’s mastery lies in his ability to balance this energy with cohesion. Despite the apparent complexity, the painting achieves harmony through thoughtful composition and a consistent tonal range. The work resonates as a meditative yet powerful statement on the possibilities of abstraction to convey mood, rhythm, and tension. This abstract piece by Sunil Madhav Sen stands as a testament to his skillful manipulation of color, texture, and form. It is a vivid expression of modernist abstraction that continues to engage and inspire viewers, reflecting the artist’s significant contribution to Indian modern art.