Two playing dogs 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this print of two playing dogs, using ink and colour on paper. The muted palette and the delicate linework create a sense of gentle humour. Look how the artist uses soft greys and creams to define the forms of the dogs, their playful energy captured in the dynamic composition. This reminds me that artmaking is a process of capturing a fleeting moment, an attempt to freeze life in a tangible form. I am drawn to the texture in the piece, the way the ink bleeds slightly into the paper, creating a soft, almost blurry effect. See that little tail, curled and wagging with such exuberance? It’s these details that bring the print to life. It reminds me of work by Utagawa Hiroshige, who also was a master in capturing the beauty of the everyday. Ultimately, the beauty of art lies in its ambiguity, its ability to evoke multiple interpretations and emotions.