Rooster and hen 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this lovely woodblock print of a rooster and hen sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It's fascinating to think about the process, right? The carving of the wood, the layering of ink, the registration of color—each step a chance for something unexpected to emerge. I'm curious about the artist's hand and how they felt about this image. Did they labor over every feather, or did the forms emerge more intuitively? The red comb is incredible against the monochrome bodies. It's that little bit of color that really brings the whole thing to life. I wonder if Koson was thinking about the traditions of Japanese art when he made this? Or maybe he was just really into chickens! Either way, it's a lovely reminder that artists are always in conversation with each other, across time, and with the world around them.