Siberian Bluechat next to a Peony sheltered by a Snowcovered Hay Sheaf 1925 - 1936

This woodblock print of a Siberian Bluechat next to a Peony sheltered by a Snowcovered Hay Sheaf was made by Ohara Koson sometime before 1945. The composition and color balance feel very intentional. Koson isn’t trying to trick you into thinking this is a photograph. Instead, we get these flattened planes of deep black, pale grey and pink, where the texture comes from the grain of the woodblock itself. Look at the way Koson renders the peony – it’s so luscious! Each petal is carefully delineated, with subtle variations in tone that give the flower a real sense of depth and volume. Then there's the Hay Sheaf – it almost looks like a firework exploding against the night sky. The overall effect is a harmonious balance between the natural world and the artist’s hand. Koson’s work reminds me of Hiroshige, another master of Japanese printmaking, who also had a real knack for capturing the beauty and transience of nature. These artists remind us that art isn’t about capturing a single moment in time, but about embracing the process of change and transformation.