Birds after Snowfall in Midwinter by Konoshima Ôkoku

Birds after Snowfall in Midwinter c. 1914

snow

light pencil work

ink paper printed

hand drawn type

personal sketchbook

ink colored

sketchbook drawing

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

watercolor

This hanging scroll, *Birds after Snowfall in Midwinter*, is a work by Japanese artist Konoshima Ôkoku (1877-1938) dating back to around 1914. Displayed at the Rijksmuseum, the artwork depicts a minimalist landscape with stark, skeletal branches of trees and a few birds in a light snowfall. The artwork's muted tones and simple composition create a sense of tranquility and solitude, typical of traditional Japanese ink painting. This artwork, often referred to as *Suibokuga*, embodies the principles of *sumi-e* (ink wash painting) and reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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With this painting Okoku evokes the atmosphere of a winter landscape, in which the snow creates a diffuse light and muted colours. Tranquillity and a somewhat forlorn, lonely mood characterize Okoku’s landscapes. This has been linked with Okoku himself, who fell into isolation in the early 20th century when the art world began to consider his introverted work as old-fashioned.