Swallows in flight
1900 - 1930
Ohara Koson was a master of kacho-e, the Japanese genre of bird-and-flower prints, and this piece is a perfect example of his delicate touch. Two swallows dart playfully beneath the sweeping, weeping branches of a willow tree, which is adorned with delicate blossoms—likely plum or cherry—signaling the arrival of spring. Koson spent years studying birds in the wild to capture their movements so accurately, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with a touch of Western naturalism that made his work incredibly popular abroad. His prints were so beloved in the West that he often signed them with a Westernized name, 'Shoson,' to appeal to international collectors.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
- Material
- Paper
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