Design in Nature c. 1915

Edward R. Dickson made "Design in Nature" without a date, a sensitive silver print. I can imagine him watching these leaves, waiting for the light to be just right. Look how delicate the shadows are, like a memory fading in and out. Dickson must have been fascinated by the way light transforms ordinary things. It’s almost like he’s painting with light, capturing a fleeting moment. The way the branch curves, the way the leaves cluster together - it feels very human. Dickson reminds me of other artists who are obsessed with nature, like Georgia O’Keefe. There’s an ongoing conversation between artists about the world around us, and they are showing us new ways to see things. It's a reminder that art is always changing, always asking new questions.