Artwork
a Stachis grandiflora; b Nicotiana rustica
a Stachis grandiflora; b Nicotiana rustica 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
Created in 1928, this photogravure presents two botanical specimens—*Stachys grandiflora* on the left and *Nicotiana rustica* on the right—rendered in close‑up detail. The composition juxtaposes a spiked flower with robust leaves against a twisted, leafless branch bearing tiny offshoots, highlighting the intricate forms of each plant.
Subject & Meaning
The work isolates the structural elements of the two species, emphasizing veins, textures, and the geometry of growth. By presenting the plants as abstracted, almost sculptural objects, the image invites viewers to consider the parallels between natural development and artistic design, suggesting a shared language of form.
Technique & Style
Blossfeldt employed the photogravure process, transferring a photographic negative onto a copper plate to achieve a rich tonal range and fine line work. The resulting print captures minute surface details with a clarity reminiscent of scientific illustration, while the stark contrast and compositional framing reflect early twentieth‑century modernist aesthetics.
History & Provenance
The print forms part of Karl Blossfeldt’s systematic study of plant morphology that he later assembled in the 1929 volume *Urformen der Kunst*. Produced during his most productive period, the image exemplifies his dual role as photographer and sculptor, documenting organic forms for both artistic and educational purposes.
Context
Blossfeldt’s botanical series emerged amid a broader movement that merged scientific observation with avant‑garde visual culture. The emphasis on precise detail and formal abstraction aligns with contemporary interests in anatomy, industrial design, and the search for universal patterns within nature.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Blossfeldt (13 June 1865 – 9 December 1932) was a German photographer and sculptor.
