Illustration to 'The crane and heron. Bear.' 1906

This illustration was made by Heorhiy Narbut, and it’s all about shapes, colors, and patterns! The colors are muted and earthy with pinks, reds, greens, and yellows. It’s like Narbut mixed them all with a bit of fairy dust. I imagine Narbut, brush in hand, conjuring this scene where the natural world meets decorative whimsy. What was he thinking as he painted those stylized plants and geometric shapes? How did he decide where to place each element? The crane, dressed in its ornamental robe, looks like it’s attending a fancy garden party. Narbut’s got this wonderful way of blending folk art traditions with the avant-garde. I think it has something to do with Matisse's cutouts or maybe even a touch of Klimt’s decorative flair. Painters are always talking to each other, across time and space, borrowing ideas, and pushing boundaries. It’s this continuous exchange that keeps the conversation going and makes art so endlessly fascinating.