Decor with Birds 1923

Ivan Milev made this painting, "Decor with Birds", using watercolor, and you can see how he lets the watery paint bleed and blend. This technique gives the painting a dreamy, almost mythical quality. Look at how the surface is broken up into these mosaic-like facets, like little windows into another world. The layers of color are thin and translucent, allowing light to pass through them, which creates a sense of depth and atmosphere. Notice the way Milev uses small, precise strokes to define the shapes of the birds and figures, especially in the top left corner. It’s so precise that it reminds me of Gustav Klimt, who also used decorative patterns and gold leaf to create shimmering, otherworldly compositions. It’s this kind of artistic conversation that keeps art alive, and makes each artwork a unique contribution to something bigger.