Painted by Ohara Koson, Cockatoo on Pomegranate is just that – a lifelike impression painted on a color woodblock print. The painting is immediately striking due to the color selection by the artist. A white bird placed against a black backdrop with the only other colors being the slightly less noticeable browns and greens of the tree and the vibrant red of the pomegranate fruit. The seal placement by the artist is not take away from the viewers experience of the piece and creates a clean version of a print due to the seal staying within a white circle instead of a red one etc. The small details that are found within all of Ohara Kosons woodblock prints is impeccable and so intricate that it can be sometimes overlooked. The feathers and and the detail in the bark of the tree are a few pinpoints of his artistery in detail. The embossing escpecially on the feathers is an understated part of the overall effect of the piece. A theme in many of Kosons works is the effect that the animals seem to be captured in time and this is evident in this woodblock.
Creator: Ohara Koson (1877 – 1945, Japanese)
Creation Year: 1927
DimensionsHeight: 14.25 in. (36.2 cm)Width: 9.50 in. (24.13 cm)
Medium: Woodblock
Movement and Style: Showa
Period: 1920-1929
Sources: https://www.1stdibs.com/art/prints-works-on-paper/animal-prints-works-on-paper/ohara-koson-cockatoo-on-pomegranate-lifetime-impression/id-a_7710732/#skuId=a_7710732S1
