Sneeuwlandschap met de berg Fuji 1900 - 1910

Ohara Koson made this woodblock print of a snowy landscape with Mount Fuji, sometime between 1900 and 1936. Isn't it funny how such soft greys and blues can make you feel cold? I really love the way he’s used these muted colours to create a sense of atmosphere. The mountain is soft and inviting. The falling snow seems to dance and shimmer. I think the way Koson uses colour and light really adds to the emotional impact of the work. My eyes are drawn to the bridge crossing, with the people struggling across it. The bridge is quite linear, in contrast with the mountain. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about the relationship between people and nature. It reminds me a bit of Hiroshige, but with an even more dreamlike quality.