Koson 小原古邨 : Two Varied Tits on a Blooming Cherry Branch (Sold)

Artist: Ohara Koson 古邨 (1877-1945)

Title: Two Varied Tits on a Blooming Cherry Branch  Date: ca 1910

Two colorful birds are posed on a blossoming cherry branch. They seem very active, with one perhaps engaged in song. Although identified in the catalogue raisonné as Great Tits, birding expert Nick Hamatake let us know that these are more likely Varied Tits, as the former species does not occur in Japan. He also noted that Koson seemed to intentionally depict the birds with five different colors, which is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Varied Tit among similar species.  Works like this one that were published by Kokkeido are some of the artist’s earliest prints, some published even in the Meiji period. This design is scarce, and the only museum collection example seems to be in the Netherlands at the Rijksmuseum. First and only edition.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. There is a slight amount of toning to most of the front of the print. This is not due to prior framing (mat burn), but is very common to see on Koson works. This dealer surmises that it has to do with contact with another print during its 100+ years of storage.
Dimensions: 35.6 x 19 cm Publisher: Kokkeido (Akiyama Buemon) 
Seal: Koson  Signature: Koson
Literature: Newland, Perrée, & Schaap, Crows, Cranes & Camellias (2001), checklist no. K29.8, page 183. See Rijksmuseum Amsterdam collection.

SKU: KOC109T