<b>CROWS IN MOONLIGHT</b> / Ohara Shoson1927<b>SOLD</b></em>
ARTIST: Ohara Shoson (1877-1945)
TITLE: Crows in Moonlight
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 1927
DIMENSIONS: 14 1/4 X 9 1/4 inches
CONDITION: No condition problems to note
LITERATURE: Amy Reigle Newland et. al., Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, 2001, pl., S5.3, Cat.150
NOTE: Watanabe D-type seal; prewar impression
ARTIST: Ohara Shoson (1877-1945)
TITLE: Crows in Moonlight
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 1927
DIMENSIONS: 14 1/4 X 9 1/4 inches
CONDITION: No condition problems to note
LITERATURE: Amy Reigle Newland et. al., Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, 2001, pl., S5.3, Cat.150
NOTE: Watanabe D-type seal; prewar impression
ARTIST: Ohara Shoson (1877-1945)
TITLE: Crows in Moonlight
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 1927
DIMENSIONS: 14 1/4 X 9 1/4 inches
CONDITION: No condition problems to note
LITERATURE: Amy Reigle Newland et. al., Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson 1877-1945, 2001, pl., S5.3, Cat.150
NOTE: Watanabe D-type seal; prewar impression
Details
Crows in the Moonlight is a striking design and perhaps Shoson's best work featuring crows. The balance established by their positioning is so skillful that Shoson achieves both a sense of stillness and of dynamism, anticipating that any moment the crow in the foreground will leap forward. The moon at the bottom of the design is positioned as if it's a large ripe fruit on the tree limb, part of the domain of the crow.
Connoisseur's Note
This early impression is an excellent example of print making at its best. Notice the subtle bokashi on the underbelly of both crows. This gradation of color is so skillful that the crows appear lifelike, not to mention accentuating the overall poetic feeling the moonlight in the print casts. Please note that this light color blue in the background is unusually light sensitive and most prints framed without UV protective glass have faded and bear mat lines. This impression is a rare flawless example.
