Studies of the leaves, blossoms, fruits and trunk of an English elm (Ulmus procera) 1788

Ludwig Pfleger created "Studies of the leaves, blossoms, fruits and trunk of an English elm (Ulmus procera)" with pen and watercolor. This work presents a botanical study, meticulously organized with different elements of the tree. The composition balances scientific observation with aesthetic presentation, inviting us to consider the elm's structure and form. Notice how the artist juxtaposes the organic with geometric. The free-flowing branches contrast with the structured, cut trunks below. The textures of the bark and the smooth wood are captured in detail. The use of watercolor allows a delicate rendering of light and shadow, enhancing the three-dimensionality of each element. Pfleger’s artistic choice to isolate each part of the tree—leaves, blossoms, fruits, and trunk—promotes a semiotic reading of nature. The image emphasizes not only the beauty, but invites you to appreciate the underlying systems that govern the natural world.