Japanse pestvogel op esdoorn. 1900 - 1936

This woodblock print of a Japanese waxwing on a maple branch was made by Ohara Koson, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Koson’s mark-making is so delicate, so refined. You get the feeling he was really trying to capture the essence of each element. The textures are so subtle! Look at the way he renders the bird’s feathers. It’s not just about color, but the way he uses the grain of the woodblock to create a sense of depth and volume, all in a very subdued palette. And the leaves! Each one has its own distinct shape and veining. If you look closely, you can see how the color subtly shifts from the edge of the leaf to the center. Think about other artists, like James Whistler, who were also obsessed with capturing these fleeting moments of beauty. It's this embrace of subtlety and nuance that really makes a piece sing.