<b>EGRETS</b> / Ohara Shoson1926<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

Two egrets are surrounded by a fog that rises above the tall grasses of late summer, while the waxing moon reveals shadows of countless reeds that lay beyond their small pond. This striking print is among Shoson’s best designs. The artist melds a keen eye for observation with a profound artistic prowess: the egrets are articulated with great care, fine lines build-up the birds’ plumage; and the masterful use of bokashi color gradation throughout the work makes the print shine with the subtle tones of moonlight in mist.

Connoisseur's Note

This early pre-war impression is noteworthy in its masterful printing, particularly evident in the fine lines of the bird’s plumage, as well as the skillful bokashi throughout the design. The printers used a woodblock with a fine wood grain pattern to imbue a soft and subtle atmospheric quality in the design. The wood grain pattern is most evident in the pond’s ripples at the lower portion of the design.