Lily and Butterflies 1912

Ohara Koson made this print of lilies and butterflies sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The pink lily dominates the composition, its petals reaching out like beckoning fingers. I can imagine Koson hunched over his work, meticulously layering colors to capture the flower's delicate texture. Each mark feels deliberate, a testament to patience and precision. And then, those pale yellow butterflies – they almost seem to flutter off the surface, don't they? It makes me think about the broader tradition of Japanese woodblock printing and how artists build on each other’s discoveries, passing down knowledge. This piece is part of a long and beautiful conversation! A reminder that making art is an act of opening up possibilities.