Plantstudie 1928

Karl Blossfeldt made this photogravure, titled Plant Study, in Germany, though the date is not known. Blossfeldt took simple photographs of plants, intending them to be used as teaching aids in art schools. His work sits within a fascinating moment in the history of art institutions. On the one hand, we see the rise of photography as a medium that can capture the natural world, and on the other hand, there is a desire to classify and systemize that world. The close-up perspective and stark lighting emphasize the intricate details of the plant, revealing its hidden geometry and structure. What does it mean to represent plants in this way? Is it an objective, scientific observation, or something else? The answer relies on understanding the social and institutional context in which it was made. Blossfeldt's photographs can be further understood by comparing them with textbooks, botanical illustration, and the wider culture of science and education in Germany at the time.