Bloemen aan waterkant 1887 - 1945

Ohara Koson created "Flowers at the waterside" using woodblock printing, a popular art form in Japan during the early 20th century. Koson lived in an era of significant social and cultural change as Japan modernized and opened to the West. He was a key figure in the Shin-Hanga movement, which revitalized traditional Ukiyo-e woodblock printing by incorporating Western influences. This print reflects a blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics with a modern sensibility. The delicate portrayal of flowers and a bird by a stream captures a transient moment in nature. This image reflects a broader cultural interest in nature and the changing seasons, which were often linked to emotions and personal identity. Koson’s work offered a comforting view of the natural world, in a rapidly changing world. The artist's emotional and personal connection to the natural world is evident in the way he portrayed these subjects with such care and detail. It invites reflection on our own relationship with nature and the passage of time.