Courtisane op veranda 1900 - 1910

This woodblock print, "Courtisane op veranda", was made by Ohara Koson sometime between 1900 and 1930. It’s like a visual haiku, isn’t it? The image is built from a series of planes and blocks of color, and while each element is defined, the whole thing has a misty, dreamy quality. Look at the water, see how it’s made up of these delicate, parallel lines. You can almost feel the breeze and smell the salt air. Then there’s the figure of the courtisane, rendered in silhouette. A large paper lantern hangs above, glowing warmly in the night. Woodblock printing is all about layering and process, like building a painting one step at a time. I’m reminded of James McNeill Whistler, with that same emphasis on mood and tone. There’s something so satisfying about the way this print embraces ambiguity, inviting us to fill in the blanks and complete the story.