Pa. German Birth Certificate c. 1940

This birth certificate was made by Albert Levone, who lived from 1855 to 1995. It's filled with these beautiful, whimsical floral motifs in muted reds, yellows, and blues, all dancing around the central text. I can almost feel Levone's hand moving across the paper, carefully painting each petal and leaf, maybe even humming to himself as he worked. There's a real sense of joy and dedication in the way he’s created the symmetry of the design. The birds feel a little bit like the work of outsider artist Henry Darger, but the rest is more folksy. He must have had such a steady hand. Look at how he's outlined each form, giving them definition and weight. And the colors! They're not quite primary, not quite secondary – they're their own unique blend, creating a harmonious balance across the entire piece. It makes you think about how artists are in an ongoing conversation, inspiring each other across time. It’s just a nice, calm, peaceful painting.