Who painted Umbrellas in Snow?

Umbrellas in Snow was painted by Ohara Koson in 1931.

Where can I see Umbrellas in Snow?

Umbrellas in Snow is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Can I buy a print of Umbrellas in Snow?

Museum-quality prints of Umbrellas in Snow are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Umbrellas in Snow

Ohara Koson , 1931

Umbrellas in Snow is a print by Ohara Koson. It dates from 1931 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Umbrellas in Snow is a 1931 woodblock print by Ohara Shoson, a prominent artist in Japan's shin-hanga and shinsaku-hanga movements. The work captures a serene winter scene, contrasting with Shoson's more common bird-and-flower (kachō-e) themes.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays a solitary figure walking across a snow-covered bridge, holding a large, intricately designed umbrella. The tranquil atmosphere, emphasized by soft colors and gentle snowfall, evokes a sense of quiet contemplation.

Technique & Style

Shoson's use of light and shadow in Umbrellas in Snow adds depth and texture, guiding the viewer's focus to the central figure. The piece showcases his skill in woodblock printing, though it diverges from his typical kachō-e subject matter.

History & Provenance

Created in 1931, Umbrellas in Snow is part of the extensive collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art. Shoson produced approximately 500 prints, often under variant names (Ohara Hōson, Ohara Shōson, Ohara Koson).

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Artist & collection

Artist

Ohara Koson

Ohara Koson (also Ohara Hōson, Ohara Shōson) (Kanazawa 1877 – Tokyo 1945) was a Japanese painter and woodblock print designer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at the forefront of shinsaku-hanga and shin-hanga art movements.