Who painted a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus officinalis?

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus officinalis was painted by Karl Blossfeldt in 1928.

Where can I see a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus officinalis?

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus officinalis is held by National Gallery of Art.

Artwork

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus officinalis

Karl Blossfeldt , 1928

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus officinalis 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

a Cornus Nuttallii; b Cornus officinalis is a 1928 photogravure print by Karl Blossfeldt, featuring close-up images of two dogwood species, Cornus Nuttallii and Cornus officinalis.

Subject & Meaning

The print highlights the structural and aesthetic qualities of the dogwood branches, drawing attention to their twisted forms, leaf arrangements, and textural details, underscored by sharp shadows in black and white.

Technique & Style

Blossfeldt employed photogravure, a photographic printmaking process, to produce the work. His approach emphasized the sculptural qualities of natural forms, presenting the branches in a manner akin to abstracted, modernist sculptures.

History & Provenance

Created in 1928, the work was included in Blossfeldt's seminal publication *Urformen der Kunst* (1929), a collection of plant studies exploring the intersection of nature and art.

Context

This piece reflects Blossfeldt's broader artistic theme of revealing the intrinsic beauty and formal design principles within natural plant forms, influencing the perception of nature in early 20th-century art and design.