Vaas met clematis c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe captured this photograph, "Vaas met clematis," using gelatin silver print, a process that gained popularity at the end of the 19th century. Tepe, born in the Netherlands, was a prominent figure in the development of artistic photography, during a time when photography was still fighting for recognition as an art form. His works often elevated everyday objects into studies of form and light. In this image, the clematis, a flower symbolizing mental beauty, is presented in a modest, yet elegant vase. Tepe’s choice to photograph this particular flower might reflect the period’s emphasis on naturalism and the beauty found in ordinary subjects, in defiance of the traditional art establishment. By focusing on the delicate details of the clematis against a subdued background, Tepe invites us to contemplate the transient nature of beauty, and consider our relationship to the natural world.