Untitled

The human figure has remained the central focus of Tyeb Mehta's work for the last five decades. While the stylistic elements and his formal techniques have changed over time, his penchant for depicting solitary figures placed squarely in the center of the canvas has remained. His exposure to European painting on a visit to England in 1959 and in subsequent years, resulted in the Expressionist style typical of his works of the 1960s, and as seen here. He relies upon vibrant, animated brushstrokes rather than carefully detailed outlines to portray the human figure. This technique is indicative of what the creative process signifies for him; the figure is not part of a narrative but represents the emotional content of the painting.