Achillea umbellata

Accession Number
2014/2.6

Title
Achillea umbellata

Artist(s)
Karl Blossfeldt

Artist Nationality
German (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1928

Medium & Support
rotogravure on paper

Dimensions
9 5/16 in x 12 1/8 in (23.65 cm x 30.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Eeta Gershow

Subject matter
This photograph displays a closeup view of a plant’s leaves. Paddle-like and symmetrical, the leaves that extend out from the main stem are covered in a fine mass of fibrous material, lending the plant a furry appearance. The leaves are splayed throughout the center of the photograph and positioned against a light background. Using a handmade camera with a powerful magnifying lens, Blossfeldt was able to enlarge this tiny form thirty times over, creating a photograph that revealed in sumptuous clarity the plant's intricacy. Printed in matte, green-black tones, this image originally appeared in the books, Urformen der Kunst  (1928) and Art Forms in Nature (1929), and accompanied other closeup views of plants and flowers. 

Physical Description
This photograph depicts a closeup view of a plant leaf against a light background.  

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Additional Object Classification(s)
Print

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Asteraceae (family)
Plantae (kingdom)
botanical illustrations
botany
leaves (plant components)
natural history specimens
plant material
scientific illustrations (images)
specimens

2 Related Resources

Nature in Photography
(Part of 3 Learning Collections)
Family Art High-Contrast Photography Portfolio 
(Part of: Image Portfolios about Photography)

& Author Notes

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