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Lot Essay
"The black paintings are more impressive [...]. They are like black stained glass windows, the forms outlined in thick lines like leading. As you move before them and different facets catch the light, they vary in tone, texture (like black velvet) and colour (not only blacks and greys, but impressions of purples and indigo) [...]." ('Souza/Geoffrey/Rao: London Commentary by Cyril Barrett', Studio International, May 1966, p. 213)
In 1965, Souza executed an entire series of black paintings culminating into the exhibition Black on Black at Grosvenor Gallery, London in 1966. Souza used black to deliberately build up the paint's surface, creating a relief-like texture to the canvases that borders on the sculptural. His black head, presented here highlights his masterful precision of line and form, and skillful application of impasto.
In 1965, Souza executed an entire series of black paintings culminating into the exhibition Black on Black at Grosvenor Gallery, London in 1966. Souza used black to deliberately build up the paint's surface, creating a relief-like texture to the canvases that borders on the sculptural. His black head, presented here highlights his masterful precision of line and form, and skillful application of impasto.