Crow in Moonlight
月に烏
by Ohara Koson
- Date:
- c. 1927
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
This dramatic nocturnal crow composition ranks among Koson's most striking designs. Pre-1923 Watanabe editions can reach $3,000-$8,000, with post-earthquake lifetime impressions at $1,200-$3,500. Look for the earliest "Koson" signature and small Watanabe seal to identify the most desirable printings.
Description
A crow sits on a bare branch silhouetted against a luminous full moon. The composition is one of stark simplicity, with the dark form of the bird and branch set against the glowing disk of the moon and a dark sky rendered in deep indigo. The bokashi gradation of the sky creates a powerful atmospheric effect.
