Haagwinde in bloei c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph of morning glories, sometime between 1864 and 1952. It’s a process of light and shadow, a dance between what's revealed and what's hidden. The tones are muted, almost monochromatic, drawing you into a quiet world of leaves and petals. Look at the way the light catches the edge of a leaf, turning it almost translucent, or the deep shadows that suggest hidden depths within the foliage. There's a sense of intimacy here, as if you've stumbled upon a secret garden. Tepe’s photograph reminds me a little of Karl Blossfeldt's stark botanical studies, but with a softer, more romantic touch. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation, a way of seeing and interpreting the world that builds upon what came before. And like any good conversation, it leaves you with more questions than answers.