Artwork
Taraxacum officinale
Taraxacum officinale 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 by German photographer and sculptor Karl Blossfeldt, this work is a photogravure titled *Tarataxum officinale*. The image presents an extreme close-up of a single dandelion, rendered in stark tonal contrast that emphasizes the plant’s form and texture. It is part of Blossfeldt’s systematic study of botanical structures, later compiled in his 1929 volume *Urformen der Kunst*.
Subject & Meaning
The composition isolates a dandelion flower whose wilted, darkened petals curl inward around a fuzzy central disc. By stripping away surrounding context, the photograph invites contemplation of the plant’s inherent geometry and the transient state of decay, reflecting Blossfeldt’s interest in the underlying order of natural growth.
Technique & Style
Blossfeldt employed the photogravure process, a method that transfers a photographic image onto a copper plate for intaglio printing. The resulting print mimics the line quality of a drawing, with pronounced chiaroscuro that delineates the delicate petals against a luminous background, enhancing the three‑dimensional illusion of weight and volume.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the print was included in the seminal publication *Urformen der Kunst* (1929), which assembled a series of botanical images that established Blossfeldt’s reputation. The work has since circulated in museum collections and private holdings, often cited as a reference for early 20th‑century photographic studies of form.
Context
Blossfeldt’s fascination with plant morphology was nurtured by his father’s enthusiasm for natural history. Working during a period when modernist artists were exploring abstraction through scientific observation, his photographs bridge the gap between documentary realism and aesthetic formalism, aligning with contemporary movements that valued structural clarity over decorative representation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karl Blossfeldt (13 June 1865 – 9 December 1932) was a German photographer and sculptor.
