Ducks in the water 1900 - 1931

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of ducks in water sometime between 1900 and 1930. The colour palette is subdued, dominated by shades of grey which almost blend into a monochrome. It’s all about subtlety here, you know? The texture of the print is smooth, but you can almost feel the soft, downy feathers of the ducks and the gentle ripples on the water's surface. Take a look at the duck perched on the rock, see how it regards us directly, there is something unnervingly direct about its gaze, as though it is aware that it is part of a constructed scene. The work of someone like James McNeill Whistler comes to mind. Like Whistler, Koson embraces ambiguity, suggesting rather than stating outright. Instead of a clear narrative, we're invited to contemplate the quiet beauty of the natural world, filtered through the artist's eye. It’s a lovely, reflective piece that reminds us art is just one big conversation!