Owl on ginkgo branch (Scops owl under crescent moon) 1915

This is Ohara Koson's 'Owl on ginkgo branch' which gives us this muted yet captivating image made, I imagine, with woodblock prints. The color palette here is very gentle, almost dreamy with the way that the soft browns and greys wash into each other. But then you look at those sharp ginkgo leaves, rendered in that distinctive yellow. The texture is lovely, there’s a real attention to detail here. The way the owl’s feathers are suggested with these tiny specks and dashes, which are not perfectly uniform, giving it a handmade feel. You can almost feel the artist’s hand in the carving of the woodblocks, which is something I really appreciate. Take a look at the way the owl’s gaze meets yours, so direct and questioning. It seems to be asking something, and that really connects this image to the wider world of nature studies made by people like Audubon. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation, spanning centuries and continents. And maybe the owl is just as curious about us as we are about it.