Design from Proposed Portfolio by Anonymous

Design from Proposed Portfolio 1935 - 1942

0:00
0:00

drawing, watercolor

# 

drawing

# 

organic

# 

water colours

# 

watercolor

# 

watercolour illustration

# 

decorative-art

# 

modernism

Dimensions: overall: 35.6 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11 in.)

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

This design presents a stylized tree laden with flowers and a bird, rendered with flat, vibrant colors on paper. The tree, a universal symbol of life and growth, anchors the composition, while the bird at its apex, pecking a flower, evokes themes of nature and vitality. We see echoes of this motif across cultures—consider the Tree of Life in ancient Assyrian reliefs, where stylized trees symbolized cosmic order and divine connection. Or the images of birds from ancient Greece, often associated with gods and goddesses, carrying messages between the heavens and earth. The emotional power lies in the subconscious recognition of such symbols. Observe how the upward thrust of the tree mirrors the human desire for ascension, for reaching beyond the earthly realm, a concept that resurfaces across time, taking on new meanings, reminding us of the cyclical nature of visual memory.

Show more

Comments

No comments

Be the first to comment and join the conversation on the ultimate creative platform.