Goose at full moon 1900 - 1910

Ohara Koson made this print of a goose, probably a woodblock, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, using mostly soft greys and whites. The goose is a kind of study in how to use a few lines to get a feeling across, and it really speaks to how much can be achieved through the art of reduction. The colour palette feels very quiet and contemplative; Koson doesn't lay down a heavy hand, but allows the materials and their textures to speak. Take a look at how the goose's feathers are defined with just a few strokes, they give the creature volume and weight, but also a sense of lightness, like it could take off any second. The way the grey background subtly shifts in tone, almost like the sky at night, is also beautiful. It reminds me a bit of the work of Agnes Martin, another artist who knew how to make a lot out of a little. Both Koson and Martin share this awareness that art isn’t about filling a space, but creating one.