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

"Iris Flowers" is a delicate and beautifully rendered woodblock print by the distinguished Japanese artist Ohara Koson, a master of the shin-hanga (New Prints) movement. In this print, a grouping of iris flowers is depicted with remarkable precision and attention to detail. The irises, traditionally revered in Japanese culture for their elegance and purity, are portrayed in a graceful, almost ethereal manner.

The flowers themselves exhibit an intricate interplay of soft purples, blues, and whites, with their petals meticulously shaded to suggest both depth and fragility. The leaves, characterized by their sharp, elongated forms and vivid green hues, create a striking contrast against the softness of the petals, enriching the composition's overall harmony. The background of the painting is generally muted, perhaps a soft gradient of tones, which serves to amplify the prominence of the irises by allowing them to stand out with clarity and vibrancy.

Information about the Original Painting and the Artist

Ohara Koson (1877-1945), who also worked under the names Shoson and Hoson, is celebrated for his contributions to the shin-hanga movement, which sought to revitalize traditional ukiyo-e printing with new themes and techniques. Koson is particularly renowned for his exquisite nature prints, often focusing on birds and flowers, where he combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with an almost Western attention to naturalistic detail.

The original "Iris Flowers" woodblock print is typically found in private collections or specialized Japanese art collections. Prominent institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art hold significant works by Koson, although checking specific catalogs and exhibition records would be necessary to identify the exact location of this particular print if it is part of a public collection.

This piece fits within Koson's broader oeuvre in its meticulous attention to natural detail and its subtle yet evocative use of color. It exemplifies the shin-hanga movement's blend of traditional Japanese artistic techniques with influences from Western realism and impressionism. This movement was partly a response to the increasing presence of Western art in Japan during the early 20th century, and Koson’s works are celebrated as some of the most refined examples of this syncretism.

Noteworthy Details

1. Technique: Ohara Koson's technique involves precise carving and printing that captures the intricate details and textures of the irises and their surroundings. Each print requires a highly coordinated effort between the artist, carver, and printer, with a profound understanding of color application and ink saturation.

2. Cultural Symbolism: The iris holds significant cultural symbolism in Japan, often associated with purity, nobility, and the transition of seasons, especially the arrival of summer. Koson’s use of iris flowers might also hint at these cultural associations, adding layers of meaning to the aesthetic beauty of the print.

3. Art Historical Context: This work represents a period in Japanese art history when there was a conscious effort to preserve traditional methods while embracing new artistic trends brought about by increasing globalization. The shin-hanga movement, within which Koson operated, is a key example of how Japanese artists navigated these dual influences.

4. Market Value: Ohara Koson's works are highly valued in the art market, particularly among collectors of Japanese prints. Depending on its condition and provenance, a Koson print like "Iris Flowers" can command substantial prices at auctions and from dealers specializing in Asian art.

In sum, "Iris Flowers" by Ohara Koson is not just a simple representation of nature but a masterly composition that reflects the sophisticated intersection of traditional Japanese art forms with emergent global artistic currents of its time.