S
Swallows and Wisteria
藤に燕
by Ohara Koson
- Date:
- c. 1926
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
Swallows darting through cascading wisteria capture a fleeting moment of seasonal beauty that defines Koson's art. Early Watanabe editions range from $1,000-$3,500, with post-earthquake reprints at $500-$1,800. The sense of movement in the birds against the hanging floral forms makes this a dynamic and appealing composition.
Description
Swallows dart and wheel among cascading clusters of purple wisteria. The birds'' swift, acrobatic flight is captured in dynamic poses, their forked tails and swept-back wings creating sharp angular forms that contrast with the soft, drooping curves of the wisteria racemes. The print evokes the warmth and vitality of late spring.
