{"product_id":"schwalben-auf-weide-konoshima-okoku-木島桜谷-1877-1938","title":"Swallows on a Willow Tree | Konoshima Ōkoku 木島桜谷 | 1877–1938","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eKonoshima Ōkoku is a painter who, fortunately, is once again coming to the attention of the Japanese art-loving public. In 2013, a comprehensive solo exhibition opened in Kyoto, which was subsequently shown in Tokyo as well. A beautiful catalogue quickly demonstrates just how much this painter deserves to be taken more seriously once again. In his day, Ōkoku enjoyed great success, but then – even in his later years – he faded from the limelight. One problem with his art was perhaps his frequent engagement with the historical and genre painting that was popular at the beginning of the 20th century (the late Meiji and Taishō periods). Some of these works may no longer speak to us directly today. But his landscape and animal paintings have lost none of their charm. On the contrary – they are masterful, lively and consistently surprising in their composition within the discipline of painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn this large-format painting, Ōkoku dares to confine his swallow motif to just the upper sixth of the picture; the remaining five-sixths depict what appears to be a playful swaying of willow branches in the spring breeze. (A closer look reveals a highly subtle arrangement of leaves and twigs).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe black swallows appear, as nature would have it, to be perched haphazardly side by side; yet one soon recognises a distinct group of three, alongside a chattering female with outstretched wings and, opposite her, a bird that seems to be listening intently, its brown neck and head providing a significant formal accent. Five birds in conversation – this is, not coincidentally, a classical number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWith Ōkoku, it is always worth taking a close look at the mounting. Woven into the elegant mouse-grey of the surrounding silk (\u003cem\u003echūmawashi\u003c\/em\u003e) are image stamps designed by Ōkoku himself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Guignard Kyoto Collection","offers":[{"title":"51cm × 214 cm \/ Silk","offer_id":56273981473153,"sku":"161213 DF3","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0751\/3092\/9452\/files\/IMG_7800.jpg?v=1789555511","url":"https:\/\/guignard-kyoto-collection.ch\/en\/products\/schwalben-auf-weide-konoshima-okoku-%e6%9c%a8%e5%b3%b6%e6%a1%9c%e8%b0%b7-1877-1938","provider":"Guignard Kyoto Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}