Anthurium 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have "Anthurium," a gelatin-silver print, likely from the 19th or 20th century, by Richard Tepe. The contrast between the dark leaves and light flower is really striking, creating a rather dramatic mood. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s compelling, isn't it? Beyond the visual, I consider this image within the historical context of botanical photography. How might Tepe's focus on the anthurium—a flower often associated with exoticism and even a certain colonial gaze—speak to power dynamics embedded in our relationship with the natural world? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. So, the flower isn’t just a flower; it’s a symbol? Curator: Precisely! Think about who had the resources and leisure to cultivate and photograph such a specimen during that period. How does this artwork reinforce or challenge the narrative around class, gender and nature in turn-of-the-century society? Consider how the black and white medium might abstract the anthurium, perhaps even depoliticizing its origins in the process. What stories do you think Tepe wanted to tell here? Editor: I guess it makes me question my initial reaction to it. It's more complicated than just a pretty picture of a flower. It brings the idea of "looking" at something under consideration. Curator: Exactly. It shows us that what might appear to be simply a landscape can hold within it a world of social, cultural, and even political meanings. It’s about uncovering those layers. Editor: I definitely see this piece with new eyes now, and I will make sure the context and nuance are added into the guide's description. Thank you.