Artwork
Asclepias incarnata
Asclepias incarnata 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, *Asclepias incarnata* is a photogravure by German photographer and sculptor Karl Blossfeldt. The image presents an intimate, close‑up view of a single milkweed stem, its tiny, densely clustered flowers rendered against a dark, out‑of‑focus background that isolates the botanical forms.
Subject & Meaning
The work isolates the milkweed’s stem and blossoms, emphasizing the repetitive, fuzzy clusters that suggest both biological function and aesthetic rhythm. By stripping away surrounding context, Blossfeldt invites viewers to contemplate the inherent geometry and growth patterns of the plant as a visual expression of natural order.
Technique & Style
Blossfeldt employed the photogravure process, a printing method that captures fine tonal gradations through etched copper plates. Careful lighting creates pronounced highlights and shadows, giving the flowers a sculptural, almost three‑dimensional presence despite the image’s photographic origin.
History & Provenance
The print was first issued in 1929 as part of Blossfeldt’s seminal volume *Urformen der Kunst* (Forms of Art). This publication assembled his close‑up studies to argue that plant structures possess a design quality comparable to human‑made art, a concept he pursued throughout his career.
Context
Blossfeldt’s fascination with botanical form was shaped by his upbringing; his father, a gardener, introduced him to plant morphology early on.
Blossfeldt’s fascination with botanical form was shaped by his upbringing; his father, a gardener, introduced him to plant morphology early on. The series of plant photographs, including this milkweed, reflects the early 20th‑century interest in merging scientific observation with artistic expression, aligning with contemporary movements that sought to reveal the aesthetic potential of the natural world.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Blossfeldt (13 June 1865 – 9 December 1932) was a German photographer and sculptor.
