Koson 小原古邨 : White Egret Standing in the Rain 雨中に白鷺

Artist: Ohara Koson 古邨  (1877-1945)
Title: White Egret Standing in the Rain against a black background 雨中に白鷺 Date: ca. 1930

A snow-white little egret (Egretta garzetta) stands on one leg, fixing its eye upon the viewer. For maximum dramatic effect, the background is completely black, divided only by suspended lines of falling rain, finely depicted in white. The feathers of the bird have been individually delineated by blindprinting, each one outlined with dimensionality. This is one of the most sought-after designs of Koson’s entire oevre, and it brings a strong Art Nouveau feeling. Koson works published by Watanabe are signed “Shoson”, as here. With the Watanabe seal that was in use between 1932 and 1941, this may be considered an early, prewar seal. According to the Toledo catalog, this work was initially printed in an edition of 300. 

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Some smudges to paper and a very light crease at bottom.  Dimensions: 38.5 x 25.8 cm
References: See MFA Boston, Harvard Art Museums, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Brown et al., Fresh Impressions (2013), cat. 197; Newland, Perée, & Schaap, Crows, Cranes & Camellias (2001), checklist no. S14.3, cat. no. 157.

Seal: Shoson
Signature: Shoson [signature of Koson with Watanabe-published works]

SKU: KOS245