Tak van een eik (bomen) c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this albumen print, "Branch of an Oak (Trees)", sometime in his lifetime between 1864 and 1952. Tepe, who was one of the most important figures in Dutch photography, was a master of landscape and botanical photography. During this era, the natural world began to be viewed through a lens of scientific inquiry. The rise of photography provided a new medium for documenting the natural world, and photographs like this one were used both for scientific purposes and artistic expression. But it is important to remember that landscape photography during this period also played a role in shaping national identity and notions of pristine nature, often ignoring indigenous perspectives and land use. The image itself is a close-up of oak leaves, some with round gall formations, set against a soft, out-of-focus background. The detail is remarkable, with the veins of the leaves and the texture of the galls rendered with precision. The monochromatic palette gives the image a timeless quality, emphasizing form and texture over color. Here the intersection of science and art asks us to reflect on our place within the natural world, and our impact on it.