Ōson (Hōitsu) Picture Album (Ōson gafu) 1817

Sakai Hōitsu created this woodblock printed album in the 19th century. Hōitsu was a Japanese painter of the Rinpa school, which often drew inspiration from nature. This image of a deer evokes a sense of longing. The animal looks up toward the sky, as if listening to something we cannot hear. The deer, often considered a sacred animal, is depicted in a simplified and stylized way, capturing its essence with minimal lines and colors. The scattering of maple leaves reminds us of the fleeting nature of time. The deer and foliage might speak to the artist's own sense of identity within the natural world. This image encapsulates the Rinpa school’s ability to create a moment of quiet contemplation. It invites us to reflect on our own connection to nature and the emotions it stirs within us.