Tak van een Canadese krentenboom met vruchten c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph of a Canadian serviceberry branch with fruits, now hanging at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a modest study of leaves and berries, composed with a soft, sepia tone that gives it an antique feel, like a page from a forgotten botanical journal. I can imagine Tepe carefully selecting this particular branch, drawn to its delicate balance of textures and forms. Maybe he was thinking about light, how it catches the waxy surface of the leaves and casts subtle shadows that accentuate each curve and vein. It's like he’s trying to capture the very essence of the serviceberry, not just its appearance but its quiet, understated presence in the world. It reminds me of those old-school nature studies, a nod to artists and scientists alike who find endless inspiration in the natural world. It's about looking closely, observing, and celebrating the subtle beauty that’s all around us.