Owl on a Pine Branch 1615 - 1633

toned paper

pencil sketch

asian-art

old engraving style

japan

personal sketchbook

lack of negative space

pen and pencil

exaggerated proportion

watercolour illustration

remaining negative space

pencil art

"Owl on a Pine Branch" (1615-1633) is a hanging scroll by the Japanese artist Soga Nichokuan. Created during the Edo period, the artwork features a detailed depiction of an owl perched on a pine branch under a large, full moon. Nichokuan, known for his masterful use of ink and wash, utilizes subtle gradients to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The artwork's minimalist composition emphasizes the owl's presence as a symbol of wisdom, tranquility, and the serene beauty of the natural world. Today, the scroll resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.