{"product_id":"ohara-koson-japanese-fine-art-print-irises","title":"Ohara Koson Japanese Fine Art Print, Irises","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOhara Koson Irises Print\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrises\u003c\/strong\u003e reveals Ohara Koson's botanical art at its most refined. Tall green leaves rise through the vertical composition while rich blue and violet flowers unfold against a pale, uncluttered background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWithout birds or animals to provide a focal point, Koson allows the architecture of the plant itself to control the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eJapanese Irises in Bloom\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe iris is particularly suited to Japanese printmaking because of the contrast between its long, blade-like leaves and complex flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKoson uses the upright leaves to create a strong vertical rhythm. Above them, broad petals open in several directions, breaking the regularity of the stems and creating a softer mass of colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnopened buds introduce additional stages of growth and prevent the composition from feeling static.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBlue, Violet and Green\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eColour is concentrated primarily in the flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeep blue and violet petals stand clearly against the pale background, while multiple shades of green distinguish leaves, stems and buds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe limited palette gives the print considerable decorative strength without sacrificing the delicacy associated with Koson's nature studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBotanical Observation and Decorative Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKoson's botanical work demonstrates that his reputation need not rest solely on birds and animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIndividual flowers and leaves are closely observed, yet their arrangement is highly controlled. The plant becomes both a natural specimen and a graphic composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe surrounding negative space is especially important. It allows every leaf and petal to remain clearly readable rather than merging into a dense mass of foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eIrises in Japanese Art\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIrises have a long history in Japanese art and decorative design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTheir instantly recognisable flowers and sword-like leaves appear in paintings, screens, textiles and woodblock prints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKoson's interpretation is notably restrained, focusing attention on the natural growth and elegant structure of the plants rather than placing them within an elaborate garden setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Ohara Koson\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOhara Koson\u003c\/strong\u003e (1877–1945) was one of the leading Japanese artists devoted to images of nature during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe is especially associated with \u003cem\u003ekachō-ga\u003c\/em\u003e, traditionally translated as bird-and-flower pictures, although his output also included fish, animals and purely botanical subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKoson's sophisticated use of colour and negative space helped carry this tradition into the modern era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDisplaying an Ohara Koson Iris Print\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe strong vertical format makes \u003cem\u003eIrises\u003c\/em\u003e particularly effective in hallways, bedrooms, bathrooms and beside console tables or fireplaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue, violet and green palette complements white, cream, sage, putty, blue-grey and natural timber interiors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also an excellent choice for botanical gallery walls, where it can be combined with Koson's bird-and-flower works without repeating their animal subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat flowers are shown?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork depicts flowering Japanese irises with tall green leaves and blue-violet blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDid Koson create more than one iris design?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Museum collections preserve several different iris compositions by Koson from different periods of his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the original a Japanese woodblock print?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Koson's iris designs were produced using colour woodblock-printing techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is there so much pale background?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe negative space isolates the individual flowers and leaves, making their shapes an important part of the overall design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat rooms suit an iris print?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe botanical subject works particularly well in bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, living rooms and calm Japanese-inspired interiors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Japanese Prints","offers":[{"title":"6x9 inches","offer_id":40578650341567,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"8x12 inches","offer_id":40578650374335,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18 inches","offer_id":40578650407103,"sku":null,"price":39.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x24 inches","offer_id":40578650439871,"sku":null,"price":45.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x30 inches","offer_id":40578650472639,"sku":null,"price":53.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36 inches","offer_id":40578650505407,"sku":null,"price":63.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"canvas 8x12 inches","offer_id":40578650538175,"sku":null,"price":70.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"canvas 16x24 inches","offer_id":40578650570943,"sku":null,"price":184.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"canvas 20x30 inches","offer_id":40578650603711,"sku":null,"price":212.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1016\/3209\/files\/Irises_12x8_wm9.jpg?v=1784151601","url":"https:\/\/gallerythane.com\/en-eu\/products\/ohara-koson-japanese-fine-art-print-irises","provider":"GalleryThane","version":"1.0","type":"link"}