Artwork
Ptelea trifoliata
Ptelea trifoliata is a print by Karl Blossfeldt. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1928, this photogravure presents an enlarged view of three rounded seed pods attached to a slender stem.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1928, this photogravure presents an enlarged view of three rounded seed pods attached to a slender stem. Rendered in monochrome, the image highlights the contrast between the dark interiors of the pods and their lighter margins, emphasizing texture and form.
Subject & Meaning
The composition isolates the pods of the plant known as *Ptelea trifoliata*, displaying their wrinkled surfaces and the subtle branching that frames them. By magnifying these botanical details, the work invites close observation of natural patterns that often go unnoticed.
Technique & Style
Blossfeldt employed the photogravure process, a printing method that captures fine tonal gradations. The black‑and‑white rendering utilizes chiaroscuro, allowing light and shadow to model the three‑dimensional qualities of the plant material with scientific precision.
History & Provenance
German photographer and sculptor Karl Blossfeldt produced the image as part of a series published in 1929 under the title *Urformen der Kunst*. Influenced by his father's interest in nature, Blossfeldt’s work from this period systematically documents plant structures, contributing to early 20th‑century explorations of form.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Blossfeldt (13 June 1865 – 9 December 1932) was a German photographer and sculptor.
