Who painted a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus florida; c Acer pennsylvanicum?

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus florida; c Acer pennsylvanicum was painted by Karl Blossfeldt in 1928.

Where can I see a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus florida; c Acer pennsylvanicum?

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus florida; c Acer pennsylvanicum is held by National Gallery of Art.

Artwork

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus florida; c Acer pennsylvanicum

Karl Blossfeldt , 1928

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus florida; c Acer pennsylvanicum is a print by Karl Blossfeldt. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1928 photogravure print by Karl Blossfeldt presents a trio of closely observed botanical studies: *a Cornus Nuttallii*, *b Cornus florida*, and *c Acer pennsylvanicum*. The work showcases detailed, black-and-white close-ups of twigs with buds, highlighting textured stems, buds, and nascent leaves.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is the intricate, sculptural forms of three specific plant species’ twigs. By isolating and magnifying these often-overlooked details, Blossfeldt draws attention to the aesthetic and structural beauty inherent in natural growth patterns.

Technique & Style

Employing photogravure, a technique that allows for rich, detailed reproductions, Blossfeldt’s composition emphasizes textural depth and the sculptural quality of the botanical specimens, rendered in nuanced black and white.

History & Provenance

Created in 1928, these photogravures were subsequently featured in Blossfeldt’s influential 1929 book *Urformen der Kunst* (Archetypes of Art), which showcased his photographic exploration of plant structures as artistic forms.

Context

Reflecting Blossfeldt’s longstanding fascination with nature, this work aligns with early 20th-century interests in the intersection of art, photography, and the natural world, inviting viewers to reevaluate the beauty in minute, natural details.

Legacy

These images, along with Blossfeldt’s broader oeuvre, have inspired subsequent generations of photographers and artists in their attention to detail and the aesthetic reevaluation of the natural world’s microscopic and often overlooked elements.