Japanese waxwing on branch 1900 - 1930

Ohara Koson made this Japanese woodblock print of a waxwing on a branch sometime between 1900 and 1930, and it's all about process. You can tell that each color was laid down separately, one on top of the other. The colors are muted, kinda grayed out, and the composition is simple, just a bird on a branch. The way Koson rendered the bird's feathers is just amazing. Look closely and you will see the subtle variations in tone and texture. The way he captured the light reflecting off the feathers makes the bird seem almost alive. The branch that the waxwing clings to is spare and quite linear, providing a lovely contrast to the soft plumage of the bird. Koson's bird prints always remind me of James Audubon's paintings of birds. Both artists were deeply interested in capturing the beauty and detail of the natural world. But while Audubon's paintings are often quite dramatic, Koson's prints are more subtle and contemplative. They invite you to slow down and really look at the beauty of a single moment.