Starlings in the rain
1900 - 1930
Ohara Koson, a master of the shin-hanga or 'new prints' movement, captures a dramatic moment in nature with these four starlings battling a sudden downpour. Notice how the delicate, diagonal lines of rain slice through the muted grey sky, contrasting beautifully with the dynamic, outstretched wings of the birds. One starling dives sharply downward while the others soar forward, their beaks open as if calling out against the storm. Koson was incredibly dedicated to observing real birds, often keeping them as pets to study their movements, which gives this woodblock print its astonishing lifelike energy and makes it a beloved example of early 20th-century Japanese art.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
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