Two ducks at full moon 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson painted these two ducks at full moon using muted grey tones to emphasize their contrasting forms. You can almost feel the rhythm of the artist’s brush in the way the feathers are delicately rendered. The duck in front really captures my eye. I wonder, was Koson thinking about movement, about that feeling of air rushing past you as you take flight? It’s all about capturing a sensation of movement in stillness. I am reminded of James Ensor’s works - the way he would often play with light and shadow to create a sense of depth and drama. Koson does something similar here with the way the light from the moon illuminates the ducks, accentuating their presence in the night sky. But ultimately, it's the sense of shared curiosity, of call and response, that makes this piece so compelling.