Pair of Ducks 1887 - 1892

Kawabata Gyokushō rendered this evocative Pair of Ducks with ink on silk. Consider the duck, a symbol deeply embedded in the human psyche. In diverse cultures, these waterfowl represent emotions ranging from marital fidelity in East Asia to the fleeting nature of life in Western vanitas paintings. Here, the ducks are presented in close proximity, their forms intertwined in a silent dialogue. The symbolism echoes through time. Recall the Egyptian hieroglyph for "son," shaped like a duck, or the duck's association with the soul's journey in some mythologies. The image of these ducks invites contemplation on themes of companionship, mirroring, and the introspective exploration of self. The enduring presence of the duck motif reflects humanity's ongoing dialogue with the natural world. It embodies a symbolic resilience, continually resurfacing, evolving, and adapting through history.