Birds after Snowfall in Midwinter

Konoshima Ôkoku, c. 1914

With this painting Okoku evokes the atmosphere of a winter landscape, in which the snow creates a diffuse light and muted colours. Tranquillity and a somewhat forlorn, lonely mood characterize Okoku’s landscapes. This has been linked with Okoku himself, who fell into isolation in the early 20th century when the art world began to consider his introverted work as old-fashioned.