<b>JAY ON OAK BRANCH</b> / Ohara Koson20th Century<b>SOLD</b></em>
ARTIST: Ohara Koson (1877-1945)
TITLE: Jay on Oak Branch
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 20th Century
DIMENSIONS: 19 ¾ x 8 1/2
CONDITION: No condition problems to note
LITERATURE: Amy Newland et al., Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, 2001, p. 72, cat. K5.18; full-page illustration on p.39
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SOLD
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ARTIST: Ohara Koson (1877-1945)
TITLE: Jay on Oak Branch
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 20th Century
DIMENSIONS: 19 ¾ x 8 1/2
CONDITION: No condition problems to note
LITERATURE: Amy Newland et al., Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, 2001, p. 72, cat. K5.18; full-page illustration on p.39
.
SOLD
.
ARTIST: Ohara Koson (1877-1945)
TITLE: Jay on Oak Branch
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 20th Century
DIMENSIONS: 19 ¾ x 8 1/2
CONDITION: No condition problems to note
LITERATURE: Amy Newland et al., Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, 2001, p. 72, cat. K5.18; full-page illustration on p.39
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SOLD
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Details
In this large-scale design, a jay sits alert on an Oak branch. The artist has placed an acorn nearby, alluding to the jay's main source of food. His attention is set out well beyond the confines of the composition. Koson masterfully portrays the bird quite realistically, as it is instantly identifiable by its pinkish-brown body, blue and black wings, and black and white crest.
The composition is quite striking and well balanced as the artist placed the bird at the center, while the tree branch angularly cuts through the design, disappears, and circles back to return at the top portion of the composition. The strong woodgrain in the background adds a distinctive atmospheric quality that grants the composition a remarkable three-dimensionality.
Connoisseur's Note
Measuring 19 ¾ inches in length, this nagaban-size print has the presence of a kakemono scroll. Koson elected to produce this outstanding design on a much larger scale than his normal tanzaku formatted works. Koson did not produce many designs in this size, as the oversized format was much more expensive. As a result, these larger-size prints are exceedingly rare and quite sought after by collectors.
The print has never been framed or displayed for extended periods. As a result, it is in an outstanding state of preservation.
