Egret in rain 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of an egret in the rain sometime before 1945, using subtle gradations of color to create a muted, almost melancholic scene. Look at the way the rain is depicted, not as distinct drops but as soft, vertical lines that blend seamlessly into the grey background. This technique gives the impression of a world dissolving into itself, a space where the egret stands in quiet contemplation. The white of the bird is not a stark, pure white, but rather a soft, muted tone that harmonizes with the overall palette. This adds to the feeling of the scene. Koson's work reminds me of James McNeill Whistler's atmospheric nocturnes, where mood and feeling take precedence over detail, evoking a shared sensibility of understated beauty. Ultimately, art is about seeing and feeling, not just about knowing, and Koson invites us to experience the world through his sensitive and observant eyes.