Accession Number
2014/2.8

Title
Ptelea trifoliata

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 the seed pods of a wafer ash plant resting against a blank background. Extending from the bottom right corner of the frame, a bifurcated twig protrudes up into the center of the image bearing a group of dried seed pods. The pods are each circularly shaped, the outlines of the seeds are visible through the light encasings of skin. The pods droop slightly downwards, with the exception of one, which is raised above the others and casts a slight shadow on the wall behind it. Positioned in front of a powerful magnifying lens, these pods were enlarged six times their size, rendering their textures in crisp detail. 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 plant's seed pods positioned 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
Rutaceae (family)
botanical illustrations
botany
flowers (plant components)
natural history specimens
plant material
pod (seed material)
scientific illustrations (images)
specimens
stem (plant material)