Natasha Kurchanova reviews V. S. Gaitonde: Painting as Process, Painting as Life at Guggenheim Museum, New York, on view through February 11, 2015.

Kurchanova writes: "Gaitonde studied both traditional techniques of Indian mural and miniature painting and modern European masters, such as Kandinsky, Picasso and Matisse. A mixture of influences and styles is evident in his work: the paintings done in the 50s reveal the strong influence of Paul Klee, with their distinct figures against an abstract background; and the ones created in the 60s and thereafter eschew the elements of figuration, leaving colour combinations and the flatness of the canvas to communicate with the viewer."