Owl and Two Swallows 1763 - 1828

"Owl and Two Swallows" is a woodblock print by Utagawa Toyohiro, a prominent artist of the late Edo period in Japan. The print, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features a large owl perched on a branch, its large, watchful eyes seemingly fixated on the viewer. Two smaller swallows fly above, creating a dynamic contrast in scale and movement. The simple composition, primarily composed of shades of black and gray on a light background, emphasizes the delicate lines and textures Toyohiro is known for. This print is a testament to the artist's talent for capturing the essence of his subjects with a balance of realism and artistic interpretation, a hallmark of the ukiyo-e genre.