Artwork
Adiantum pedatum
Adiantum pedatum 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
Adiantum pedatum is a 1928 photogravure print by Karl Blossfeldt, showcasing a detailed, close-up view of a maidenhair fern.
Subject & Meaning
The image is part of Blossfeldt's systematic documentation of plant forms, highlighting the structural beauty of nature. The twisting stems and curled leaves of the fern are presented in a way that emphasizes their intricate details.
Technique & Style
The photogravure process used by Blossfeldt gives the image a drawn quality, with sharp details even in shadowed areas. The predominantly black and white tones are punctuated by thin white lines where light catches the subject.
Context
This work was included in Blossfeldt's 1929 publication Urformen der Kunst, a collection of his photographs that reflect his interest in the formal qualities of natural forms, an interest partly inspired by his father's study of plant growth.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Blossfeldt (13 June 1865 – 9 December 1932) was a German photographer and sculptor.
