Details

In this composition, Ohno's attention shifts from movement to structure. The broad, wing-like pectoral fins are spread with remarkable clarity, revealing the delicate network of rays that support them. Their translucent quality is achieved through subtle printing techniques that allow the paper itself to participate in the image. The fins appear almost weightless, creating a striking contrast with the denser mass of the fish's body.

The design demonstrates Ohno's remarkable ability to simplify complex forms. Every element contributes to the overall harmony of the composition, from the elegant taper of the body to the carefully balanced placement of the fins. The image possesses an almost architectural quality, revealing the hidden geometry that underlies natural form.

Connoisseur's Note

The flying fish held particular appeal during the interwar years, a period characterized by fascination with speed, flight, and technological progress. Although rooted in natural history, images such as this resonated with broader cultural interests in aviation, exploration, and the conquest of distance.

For modern viewers, the design remains strikingly contemporary. Its emphasis on streamlined form and elegant structure aligns closely with modernist ideals that emerged throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The print demonstrates how Ohno's fish studies could participate in larger artistic conversations while remaining firmly grounded in the observation of nature.