Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Boats and Setting Sun" by Ohara Koson (also known as Ohara Shōson) is a serene and evocative woodblock print that captures the quiet beauty of a twilight scene. The painting features several small boats, perhaps fishing vessels or transport boats, gently drifting on a calm body of water. The most striking aspect of the painting is the radiant setting sun, which casts a warm, golden glow over the scene. This sunlight is beautifully reflected in the undulating waves, creating a sense of tranquility and reflective stillness. The horizon is subtly painted, fading into soft gradations of orange, pink, and purple, indicating the day's end.

The silhouettes of the boats, along with their slender masts and rigging, are rendered with delicate precision, contrasting the soft, hazy background. The sparse use of color creates an atmosphere that invites contemplative thought, emphasizing the fleeting moment caught between day and night.

Artist: Ohara Koson
Years Active: 1877-1945
Art Style and Movement: Shin-hanga (New Prints), which revitalized traditional Japanese woodblock printing during the early 20th century.

Ohara Koson, who later became known also as Shōson, was a prominent figure in the Shin-hanga movement. This was a period where traditional Japanese woodblock printing experienced a resurgence, driven by a desire to blend the techniques and aesthetics of Ukiyo-e with modern sensibilities and influences from Western art. Koson is particularly known for his masterful depictions of nature, especially birds and flowers, but he also extended his repertoire to include landscapes and seascapes, capturing the ephemeral beauty of natural scenes.

"Boats and Setting Sun" fits into Koson's oeuvre as an example of his ability to encapsulate serene and transient moments within nature. While his bird and flower prints are more widely known, his landscapes and seascapes offer a broader view of his versatility and sensitivity to natural beauty.

- Technique: Koson's work was characterized by his use of traditional woodblock printing, employing skilled carvers and printers to translate his designs into prints. The nuanced gradients and delicate line work evident in "Boats and Setting Sun" showcase the high level of craftsmanship involved.
- Collectors and Popularity: Koson’s works have been highly sought after by collectors, particularly in the Western markets, where there was a great appreciation for the subtle beauty and skilled execution of Shin-hanga prints.
- Museum Collections: While specific information about where the original "Boats and Setting Sun" print might be housed can vary, Koson's works are widely represented in both private collections and major museums around the world, such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the British Museum in London.

Ohara Koson’s work remains significant not only for its aesthetic qualities but also as a cultural bridge between the traditional art forms of Japan and modern global artistic currents. "Boats and Setting Sun" is a testament to the timeless appeal and enduring beauty of his vision, continuing to inspire appreciation for the natural world through the medium of woodblock prints.