Courtisane op veranda 1900 - 1910

Ohara Koson made this beautiful woodblock print called 'Courtesan on a Veranda', but we don't know exactly when. Just imagine the artist, Koson, carefully carving each line and shape into the wood, thinking about how the ink will lay, how the image will emerge. I wonder if they mixed and applied the ink themselves. The way the figure stands, silhouetted against the pale expanse of the sea and sky, makes me think of her inner world. The dark figure against the pastel shades feels so symbolic, a lone figure absorbed in thought. Maybe she is looking towards the horizon with a sense of longing or contemplation? It’s like she is standing between worlds, the veranda and the infinite horizon. This print reminds me of other artists, like Whistler, who found beauty in the subdued tones of twilight. There is a sense of dialogue between artists, across time and place. Painting is all about exchange, about seeing what others have done and finding your own way to add to the conversation.