Vogel in neerwaartse vlucht 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of a bird diving with some vine leaves sometime before 1945. I like to imagine Koson working on this print, carefully carving each line and shape into the wood. Maybe he watched the birds outside his window, capturing the exact angle of its flight. The bird is frozen mid-air, a moment of pure instinct. Its wings are curved back, ready to strike. The vine leaves are spare, but they give you a sense of place. It’s like he is saying something about life, death, and nature. You know, making art is all about noticing, isn’t it? What grabs you, what stays with you, and how can you share that with others? Koson did just that.