Hawk with captive tree sparrow 1900 - 1930

This striking woodblock print of a Hawk with captive tree sparrow was made by Ohara Koson sometime between 1877 and 1945. Look at how Koson uses a limited palette and soft, muted tones to convey the bleakness of winter. The snowy branches and the hawk's plumage are rendered with subtle gradations of grey and white, creating a sense of depth and texture. Notice the hawk's piercing gaze, so sharp and focused, it contrasts with the softness of the snow-laden branches. The small sparrow, caught in the hawk's talons, is a tiny detail, but it speaks volumes about the harsh realities of nature. The texture of the hawk's feathers is so well-defined, you can almost feel the softness of its plumage. Koson's print reminds me a bit of some of Hiroshige's bird prints, but with a more modern sensibility. Both artists capture the beauty and drama of the natural world, but Koson's hawk feels particularly contemporary in its starkness and realism.