Tak met bladeren en knoppen 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph, Tak met bladeren en knoppen, with a camera and photographic paper, no date given. There’s a real sense of exploration here. It’s like Tepe is using the camera to feel his way through the natural world, one leaf at a time. He’s using a restricted palette of sepias and browns, working with light and shadow to pick out different textures. The tonal gradations in the sepia tones create a sense of depth and volume that is very appealing, The composition is interesting. It’s like he’s cropped the image right at the point where the leaves and buds reach out towards us. I like the way the leaves have these prominent veins, like a roadmap of the tree’s inner life. It reminds me a little of Karl Blossfeldt’s botanical studies. Both artists were interested in revealing the hidden beauty and structure of plants, but Tepe brings a more personal, sensual touch to the process. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art isn’t about answers, it’s about asking questions and staying open to the unexpected.