Accession Number
2014/2.12

Title
Symphytum officinale

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 depicts a closeup view of the fronds of a common comfrey plant. It sprouts up the middle of the frame and spreads its little buds outwards in a fan-like array. The surface of the plant's skin is covered in a myriad tiny bristles, lending its surface an almost fuzzy appearance. Using a handmade camera with a powerful magnifying lens, Blossfeldt was able to create richly detailed photographs of botanical specimens such as this. 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 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
Plantae (kingdom)
books
botanical illustrations
botany
flowers (plant components)
plant fiber
scientific illustrations (images)
specimens