Accession Number
2014/2.7

Title
Struthiopteris germanica

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 young fern plant on the cusp of unfurling its leaves.  Situated in the center of the frame against a light background, the texture of the plant is depicted in crisp detail, its fronds spiraled inwards. Positioned in front of a powerful magnifying lens, this fern’s head was enlarged eight times its size, rendering its sinuous, graceful qualities in sharp clarity. 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 botanical specimens. 

Physical Description
This photograph depicts a closeup view of a young fern positioned against a light, blank 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
Pteridophyta (division)
botanical illustrations
botany
flowers (plant components)
natural history specimens
plant material
scientific illustrations (images)
specimens
stem (plant material)