Tak van de struikkamperfoelie c. 1900 - 1930

This is a photograph of a Honeysuckle branch, made by Richard Tepe. I love the simplicity. It’s so quiet, just this branch, probably plucked from a bush and placed with intention. The colours are muted, earthy, warm sepias and umbers, all soft and delicate. It’s easy to imagine Tepe in his darkroom, bathed in dim red light, waiting to see this image emerge. He’s using light itself as his medium. The gentle light caresses each leaf and flower, revealing the texture and structure. Look closely at the veins on the leaves, each one is distinct. There’s a dance between sharpness and blur. The edges of the leaves have this almost ethereal glow, while the details of the flowers are crisp. It reminds me a little of Karl Blossfeldt’s plant studies, that same attention to detail and love of form. Art is just a conversation across time. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most profound statements are the quietest.