Twee ganzen 1900 - 1910

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print, Twee ganzen, in the early 20th century. The subtlety of Koson's colors is remarkable, isn't it? The grey scale is so delicate. I think that choosing to limit the colour range adds to the feeling of a cool evening. Let's consider the texture in this piece. The surface is mostly smooth but has a granular quality that might remind you of watercolour. Look closely, and you’ll notice the variations in tone, where the grey softly transitions, suggesting form and depth. The use of line in this artwork is really interesting. Note the fine outlines defining the feathers of the geese, but also the more expressive strokes that suggest the grassy foreground. The texture and composition of this piece, with the moon and the geese overhead, gives it an ethereal quality. Koson's approach to nature aligns with that of Katsushika Hokusai, in that both artists capture the essence of their subjects, but Koson is more interested in realism. All art is an ongoing conversation across time, don’t you think?