Clematis vitalba c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph of Clematis vitalba sometime between 1864 and 1952. There's a real tactile quality here, though it's just a photo! The light and dark areas feel like textures, grabbing your attention and holding it there. It's like Tepe is showing us how to really *see* this plant, not just glance at it. The creamy white blossoms againt the dark green leaves create a compelling tonal range. Look how he’s captured the tiny details - each flower head a burst of light, the intricate veining of the leaves. It's like he’s saying, "Hey, pay attention! There's a whole world of beauty in something you might normally overlook". Think of Karl Blossfeldt's close ups of plants and seeds, but much softer. The two artists want to show us the world anew, in all its beautiful detail.