Swallows and Wisteria c. 1930s

Ohara Koson made this print of swallows and wisteria, we're not sure exactly when, but it gives me the feeling of an afternoon spent in the garden, watching light flicker through flowers. I'm really drawn to the way Koson creates depth with blocks of color. The blossoms aren't just purple, they are a mix of blue and gray and lavender, with darker accents that make them pop against the pale yellow of the background. The petals are built from lots of small marks, repeated and varied, giving the impression of texture, as though you could almost reach out and touch the velvety surface of the flowers. The birds, too, have a similar treatment; black, white and a touch of red, all laid down with care. It reminds me a little of Bonnard, how he uses a limited range of color to create a whole world. Ultimately, art is a conversation, right? We build on what came before, responding to each other across time. There's no right or wrong way to see this print. Just let your eyes wander.