Plantstudie 1928

Karl Blossfeldt made this gelatin silver print, Plantstudie, at an unknown date. It presents a close-up, highly detailed image of a plant. Blossfeldt was German and worked during the early 20th century, a period marked by significant shifts in artistic and social values. His work emerged within the context of the New Objectivity movement, which rejected romanticism and aimed for a more direct, unadorned representation of reality. Germany, at this time, was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization, leading to a longing for the natural world. Blossfeldt's photographs, with their scientific precision, reflect a desire to find order and structure in nature. He taught at the School of Applied Arts in Berlin, and his images served as teaching aids. Plantstudie reflects the broader cultural interest in botany and natural history, fueled by advancements in scientific research and exploration. Understanding Blossfeldt’s work requires considering the social and intellectual currents of his time, which can be investigated through archival research and studies of the period's artistic movements. The meaning of Plantstudie is contingent on the social and institutional contexts of its creation and reception.