Artwork
Achillea filipendulina
Achillea filipendulina 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
Achillea filipendulina is a 1928 photogravure print by Karl Blossfeldt, a German photographer and sculptor. The work is a close-up study of a plant, specifically highlighting a cluster of small, fuzzy flowers with jagged edges against a dark background.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is the Achillea filipendulina plant, captured to emphasize its aesthetic and formal qualities. Blossfeldt's lifelong fascination with nature and plant structural forms is reflected in this detailed representation.
Technique & Style
The print utilizes photogravure, a technique allowing for the rendition of fine details, characteristic of scientific and botanical illustrations popular at the time. The image's high contrast and textured appearance, showcasing tiny spikes or hairs on the flowers, are hallmarks of this method.
History & Provenance
Created in 1928, Achillea filipendulina was published the following year in Blossfeldt's collection Urformen der Kunst (Archetypes of Art), as part of a series focusing on the formal beauty of botanical subjects.
Context
Part of a broader series by Blossfeldt, this work sits within a body of photographic studies that blend scientific observation with artistic appreciation for natural forms, influencing both botanical documentation and the aesthetic appreciation of plant life.
Legacy
Achillea filipendulina contributes to Blossfeldt's recognized contribution to the intersection of photography, botany, and art, with his works continuing to be celebrated for their unique blend of scientific precision and aesthetic appeal.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Blossfeldt (13 June 1865 – 9 December 1932) was a German photographer and sculptor.
