Mussen en besneeuwde pruimenboom 1900 - 1936

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of sparrows and a snowy plum tree, sometime between 1900 and 1936. Just look at the soft grey that Koson has chosen for the background. It's almost atmospheric, like a cloudy winter sky. The artist used blocks to lay down each color, one at a time. The snow looks heavy on the branches, bending them down, and the birds are like fluffy darts in the cold air. I imagine Koson watching these little birds outside his window. I wonder if he felt connected to their energy and resilience, as he carefully carved each line and detail. It makes me think about the Japanese tradition of capturing fleeting moments in nature and how it resonates with other artists, like the German expressionist, Franz Marc, known for his vibrant paintings of animals. Whether it’s a quick sketch or a detailed print, artists find different ways of seeing, feeling, and experiencing the world.