Tree sparrow with young 1900 - 1936

Ohara Koson made this print of a tree sparrow with its young at an unknown date. The palette is mostly greys and browns, and the mark-making is incredibly delicate. I can really feel the artist relishing the process, getting into the nitty gritty of making a picture. The top bird looks like it is about to land, its wings spread wide, each feather defined by thin, precise lines. These lines contrast with the fuzzier marks suggesting the texture of its plumage. The group of young sparrows huddled together, look up expectantly. The scene is set in a misty landscape, rendered with soft washes of grey, evoking the feeling of a hazy day. The textures almost feel as though they have been printed onto the paper. It's a scene of quiet anticipation, where the artist's touch feels both precise and intuitive. There’s something in the atmosphere of this piece that recalls the work of James McNeill Whistler, with its muted tones and focus on the poetics of the everyday. But, it’s also its own thing, a snapshot of bird life. Art is an ongoing conversation, and Koson adds something very special here.