Cormorant 1910

Ohara Koson made this Cormorant print in Japan, and what grabs me right away is the way the artist has balanced precision with fluidity. Look at the meticulous detail in the bird's feathers compared to the softer, almost blurred effect of the water and the reeds at the top. This contrast is so engaging, isn't it? The bird itself is a study in dark tones, but the beak gives it a splash of yellow. The water almost feels like it's been applied in layers, creating this sense of depth and movement. The swirls make me think of how we experience nature, not as something static, but always in flux. It reminds me a little bit of some of Whistler's more atmospheric works, though Koson brings a uniquely Japanese sensibility to it. I love how it invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, and to appreciate the beauty in the everyday.