Before the Storm 1920

Ito Shinsui made this Japanese woodblock print, likely in the early to mid 20th century. The weather is heavy in this picture. The dark sky looms behind a field of vegetation, and there’s a sense of drama hanging in the air. You can imagine the artist carefully carving each line and shape, figuring out how to layer the colours to create depth and mood. I wonder if Ito Shinsui was trying to capture a feeling more than a literal scene here. Look at how the stems of the plants have been drawn – they almost look like calligraphy, bending and twisting. And the little bird in the sky – what does that add to the feeling of the piece? Maybe it’s a symbol of hope, or a reminder of the natural world’s resilience? Artists learn from each other, playing with form and representation. "Before the Storm" makes you think of all those artists who have tried to capture the essence of a moment, or a feeling, inviting us to reflect on the beauty and complexity of the world around us.