Cockatoo And Pomegranate (20th Century) - Ohara Koson (Japanese, 1877-1945)

Ohara Koson’s Cockatoo and Pomegranate (20th Century) is a striking kachō-ga (bird-and-flower) woodblock print that showcases the artist’s mastery of natural detail and composition. A pristine white cockatoo perches elegantly beside a ripe pomegranate, its split husk revealing clusters of ruby-red seeds. Koson’s skillful use of color and texture brings the scene to life—from the bird’s soft, layered plumage to the fruit’s glossy, tactile surface. The contrast between the cockatoo’s serene posture and the pomegranate’s vibrant energy creates a dynamic balance, while the minimalist background emphasizes their delicate forms. A superb example of shin-hanga (new prints) artistry, this work captures both the beauty of nature and the refined aesthetics of early 20th-century Japanese printmaking, appealing to collectors of wildlife art and traditional ukiyo-e alike.