Abstract

This painting, from the 1960's explores the relationship between line and colour. The canvas is divided by impasto paint applied horizontally like a fence. This holds together an area of pure paint. According to Foy Nissen, 'Gaitonde seems to have mastered the relationship between linear structure and colour in a deceptively simple manner. It is an emotionally perceived relationship in which colours 'speak' without an obtrusive emphasis on their physical properties as paint. This is not so in his control of line, which exploits textural possibilities of line imbued with a sensual overflow.' (Gaitonde, Lalit Kala Academi, New Delhi, 1983.)