Through My Eyes: The Incomprehensible Bird 5

Artwork Interpretation

I. Color Language and Atmosphere
This watercolor portrait constructs a distinctive atmosphere through its innovative use of color. The artist fully exploits the blending qualities of watercolor, allowing translucent washes to overlap and interact. Subtle transitions of skin tones are interwoven with unconventional hues such as blue and red, moving beyond strict naturalism. These chromatic shifts impart a dreamlike quality, suggesting an emotional depth that transcends straightforward representation.

II. Brushwork and Formal Expression
The brushstrokes in this work are at once spontaneous and intentional. Instead of meticulously rendering every detail, the artist relies on layered washes and loosely defined contours to suggest the subject’s presence. In areas such as the hair and clothing, brushstrokes create rhythms and tonal variations that evoke the figure’s state of mind. This approach emphasizes expressive gesture rather than rigid precision, highlighting the freedom inherent in watercolor as a medium.

III. Emotional Resonance and Symbolism
The inscription “The Bird in the Eyes, Without Knowing Why” adds a crucial narrative dimension. It prompts viewers to reflect on the psychological and symbolic resonance of the “bird” as it relates to the figure’s inner world. The phrase introduces an element of mystery, shifting the painting from mere portraiture toward a poetic exploration of identity, perception, and subconscious imagery. The result is not just a visual likeness but an emotional vessel, embodying the artist’s exploration of human interiority.

IV. Artistic Intention and Conceptual Depth
Rather than striving for photographic accuracy, the artist pursues an aesthetic of “spiritual resemblance”—capturing the essence of the figure through mood, color, and expressive form. This aligns with traditions of Eastern artistic conception while also resonating with the modernist emphasis on subjective emotion. The painting demonstrates how watercolor, often associated with delicacy, can instead become a medium of emotional intensity and creative freedom, bridging traditional sensibility and contemporary experimentation.

Similar Works Reference

Paul Cézanne, Woman with a Hat
– Employs block-like forms and layered color planes to structure the figure and convey depth of thought.

Egon Schiele, Portrait of a Girl
– Uses sharp, angular brushstrokes and heightened color contrasts to capture the psychological tension of the sitter.

Wu Dayu, Portrait
– Explores romantic lyricism through fluid brushwork and a vibrant rhythm of colors, merging form with emotion.

Oskar Kokoschka, Portrait of a Woman
– Relies on expressive strokes and subjective colors to reveal the sitter’s emotional interiority, prioritizing feeling over realism.

Why does this piece appear lighter and more ethereal in tone?

The painting makes extensive use of diluted pale blues, gray-violets, and milky whites, layered into semi-transparent veils. Compared to the more saturated palettes of earlier works, this composition feels more airy and breath-like, as if it were a visualization of atmosphere itself.

Why does the figure’s expression suggest contemplation or melancholy?

The gaze does not meet the viewer but instead slants downward, while the lips carry a faint sense of restraint. This subtle handling draws the subject into an inner emotional world, giving the viewer the impression of witnessing unspoken thoughts.

How is the relationship between the background and the figure expressed?

The background is built from blurred, dissolving strokes of cool tones that intermingle with the hair and facial contours. Boundaries are softened, creating an effect of mutual absorption, as if the figure were dissolving into the surrounding atmosphere.

What makes this work unique within the series?

Where earlier pieces emphasize facial features and hand gestures, this one turns toward atmosphere and psychological presence. Form is softened, color is muted, and brushwork becomes hazy, pushing the work into the realm of a “psychological portrait”—a more introspective phase within the series.

What is the significance of this painting in terms of academic and collecting value?

Academically, it marks the artist’s transition from figurative portraiture toward atmospheric, psychological portraiture, revealing a crucial moment of stylistic evolution.

For collectors, this piece serves as the series’ most lightweight and meditative counterpoint, offering a striking contrast to the more intense, color-rich works.

Its value lies in the artist’s mastery of diluted watercolor techniques, semi-transparent layering, and the abstraction of psychological states, providing evidence of a diverse artistic vocabulary. As such, it is both a standalone treasure and an essential complement within the series.

What should I pay attention to when buying an artwork or its derivatives?

A: Click here to view ARTPHILOSO's Guide for Collectors.